The Piñata

Laura Booz: You’re listening to Expect Something Beautiful with Laura Booz. Your expectations really matter, and today’s story illustrates that you can expect there to be enough grace to go around. 

I was in first grade at the time and couldn’t wait to get to school, because we were going to have a party. When I arrived I saw that the desks were all pushed to the sides of the room and a large piñata hung above the wide-open space. 

I remember my classmates and I stood in a wide circle around the paper mache donkey. We were just admiring its color tissue paper fur and imaging the treasures that were stuffed inside. The donkey spun slowly as if it was looking us over, challenging us to just try and get that candy. 

Our teacher handed each of us a brown paper bag to collect the candy once the piñata was broken open, and then try we did. 

One by one we stepped up to get blindfolded and then spun around . . . one . . . two . . . three times. Then with a bat in hand, we lunged and swung and thumped and reached for that piñata. As first graders go, we weren’t exactly brawny powerhouses, so it took us a while. The bat made its rounds again and again and that stubborn piñata continued to spin.

With every whack I became increasingly more focused on getting that candy. I adjusted my paper bag so that it would be poised to hold as much candy as possible. My heart rate quickened. I stood on my tiptoes, my eyes narrowed until all I could see was that spinning piñata. Everything else faded from view, and I had one mission, to get that candy.

Then I watched as if in slow motion one blindfolded classmate took the bat, wound up, swung high and strong, and cracked that bat down on the piñata with such force that the candy instead of bursting out in every direction, fell in one tremendous mound on the floor. 

Quick as lightning, I ran to the center, slid to my knees, wrapped my arms around the entire pile, and I got the candy. I got all of the candy. I feverishly shoved handfuls into my bag, my mind was swirling in triumph, my chest was filled with joy, and then I felt a tap, tap, tap on my shoulder. 

I looked up from my pile of m&ms and Skittles to see my teacher’s amused face, as if waking me from a dream she said, “Laura, the candy is meant for all of the children.” Startled, I looked around at all of my classmates. They were all gathered around me and my pile of candy with their paper bags open just waiting. 

Oh yes, of course! The other children, the candy wasn’t all for me. How had I lost sight of that? Even as a six-year-old, I felt that rush of shame for my selfishness and impulsivity. And I remember I inched away as the other children dove into the pile with shouts and laughter, candy thunking into their brown paper bags. 

Now, don’t worry about me. I went home with a bag full of candy. There really was plenty to go around. I also went home with a tangible life lesson that continues to guide me to this day. For I often get entranced by stuff, just worldly possessions. I rush to get the best and most for myself and my family. I completely forget to trust God for my daily bread and to be content with what I have, and to share with those in need. 

I get entranced by the desire for more experiences, the quest for opportunities, the ability to show off status. It’s as if I’m standing on my tip toes and jumping on the next best things as if life is only about my happiness, my entertainment, my comfort. 

I find myself wanting to live in the good neighborhood, with the good grocery stores, and the good church. I want to go to the good small group, with the good friends. I want the good kids and the good clothes, the good cars, the good books, the good vacation, the good job, the good sports team, the good school district, all for me and mine. And I work so hard to get the good stuff for myself. 

I get entranced by spiritual prosperity and scramble to wrap my arms around my own personal Bible reading and my own learning and worship, forgetting that my growth is meant to be a conduit of grace to the entire body of Christ. 

The Holy Spirit teaches and fills me, not just for my own pleasure, but so that I may eagerly share what I’ve gained through Christ and offer every possible gift to others for their well-being too. 

Of course, God’s gifts are good, whether they be our daily bread or clothing or riches or good neighborhoods or opportunities. But it becomes a problem for me when I forget God, when I forget His kingdom’s desires to redeem all mankind, and I focus on the gifts and just want more and the best for myself. 

And to be honest, I often feel that tap, tap, tap on my shoulder, as the Holy Spirit speaks to me through His Word, “Laura, My blessings are meant for all the children.” And time after time the truths in His Word break my selfish trance. They lift my eyes to His face and to the faces of people around me who want to share in His blessings too. 

If you find yourself in a similar position from time to time, with your arms wrapped tightly around blessings that are meant to be shared with others, may I first remind you of one important thing? That God sees us. He sees us grasping and scrambling and securing the good stuff for ourselves, and He loves us too much than to leave us in our selfish trance. 

So, He comes after us. We are His beloved to whom He has given everything. And He helps us to live open-handed just like He does. 

May I read some Scriptures that will help both of us take a deep breath and release our grip and extend the same generosity that God has shown us through Christ. As I read, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us understand and to obey. 

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:16–18)

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. (1 Tim. 6:17–19)

Incline my heart to your testimonies,and not to selfish gain! (Ps. 119:36)

And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek hiskingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Luke 12:30–34)

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully willaalso reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. (2 Cor. 9:6-11)

Did you feel that tap, tap, tap? I sure did. God’s Word, God’s gifts, so good, convicting, gracious, and helpful, plenty to satisfy me and you—plenty to go around to all the children. 

Do you know Expect Something Beautiful is on the air because people have chosen to share the good things that God has given them. Expect Something Beautiful is part of the Revive Our Hearts podcast family. So this podcast is possible because all of the people who believe in passing on the truth of God’s Word to one another and to the next generation. So, they donate to make the ministry possible. 

Maybe you are one of those people, and today I want to thank you. If you’re interested in partnering with Revive Our Hearts in that way, you can visit their website to make a donation or find out how you can get involved. The web address is ReviveOurHearts.com. 

And to hear more stories that help you see biblical truth, from maybe a different angle, I hope you’ll check out my personal blog LauraBooz.com. 

Expect Something Beautiful is a production of Revive Our Hearts, calling women to freedom, fullness, and fruitfulness in Christ.