Mama Gave it All by B J Bassett

 

“For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living.”

Mark 12:44 RSV

 

Mama was always generous. Even in later life, when she didn’t have much to give, she gave it all.

 

My parents didn’t have much when they married. Later in their marriage, they became part of the middle class, always having a nice car, a home with a swimming pool, and they enjoyed traveling. After my parents’ divorced, Mama’s financial security trickled away.

 

 

During her last years, she lived in a care home. After paying for her board and care, she had less than $100 a month for her essential personal needs. Yet, the great-grandsons received a $5 bill in their birthday cards each year from Nana.

 

No longer able to get out and shop without me, she discovered a coupon in a magazine and sent it away for my Christmas gift. It’s a decorative pillow with a saying on it: A daughter is just a little girl who grows up to be a friend.

 

Do we selfishly horde all we have, holding it close to our chest? Or do we give generously to others with no thought to ourselves?

 

Heavenly Father, help me give my all on earth, I pray. I want to be generous like Mama. Amen.

 

Reprinted from The King’s Daughters

a Women’s Devotional

 

 

B. J. Bassett encourages others as an author, teacher and speaker. Her books include a contemporary novel, Gillian’s Heart; a historical novel Lily; Sweet Charity; A Touch of Grace—The G.R.A.C.E. Ministries Story; and coauthor of a children’s devotional My Time with God, Focus on the Family, Heritage Builders, with over 55,000 copies sold.

 

As a contributing writer, publications consist of Writer’s Handbook 2000, The Writer, and The Focus on the Family Guide to Growing a Healthy Home, Wolgemuth& Hyatt, Publishers, Inc.—consistently on Bookstore Journal’s Best-selling Christian Books List from November 1990 - February 1991, and voted the 10 Best Books for 1990 by Today’s Christian Woman.

 

Magazines, devotional booklets, curriculum and newspaper publishers include Focus on the Family, Woman’s World, The Quiet Hour, Pathways to God, Devotions, Harcourt Brace, WordAction, Gospel Publishing and Times Standard (newspaper).

 

She teaches writing workshops at Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, OR and at writer’s conferences. As a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries, she tells her story of rejection and acceptance, not only in life, but as a writer as well. She also offers book talks, including discussion questions and shares the journey -- from the seed of an idea to a published book.

 

Memberships: ACFW and Oregon Christian Writers (OCW).

 

She enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, knitting, munching warm scones oozing with butter and strawberry jam and sipping earl grey tea.