“The Gift That Lives On”

By Robin Wiley

I’ll admit, I am not the best writer. I learned to improve my writing when I entered graduate school in 2012, where in seminary, you have to write hundreds of papers by the time you finish whatever degree plan you worked towards. I truly enjoy reading other people’s work and exploring different points of view on religion and psychology, which were my concentration in grad school. 

Going over to my father-in-laws’ is a real treat because he is a collector – a collector of books, movies, articles, memories, and pictures. He is always showing me some of his treasures when Scott and I visit. From his treasures of articles – I found some real gems I would like to share with all of you over this month’s devotions from me. They all really touched my heart, and I hope they bring a little joy to yours as well.

This story I am sharing in today’s devotional has been around for a very long time. It is entitled: “The Gift That Lives On”. It is the story of Teddy Stallard, and it’s from the book Man to Man by Swindoll (1996). This one makes me cry every time! No kidding – I dare you to read it and not cry!

Teddy Stallard certainly qualified as “one of the least”; disinterested in school; musty, wrinkled clothes; hair never combed; one of “those kids” in school with a deadpan face; an expressionless, glassy, unfocused start. When Miss Thompson spoke to Teddy he always answered in monosyllables. Unattractive, unmotivated, and distant, he was just plain hard to like.

Even though his teacher said she loved all in her class the same, down deep inside she wasn’t being completely truthful. Whenever she marked Teddy’s papers, she got a certain perverse pleasure out of putting Xs next to the wrong answer, and when she put the Fs at the top of the papers, she always id it with a flair. She should have known better; she had Teddy’s records and she knew more about him than she wanted to admit. The records read:

1st Grade: Teddy shows promise with his work and attitude, but poor home situation.

2nd Grade: Teddy could do better. Mother is seriously ill. He receives little help at home.

3rd Grade: Teddy is a good boy but too serious. He is a slow learner. His mother died this year.

4th Grade: Teddy is very slow, but well behaved. His father shows no interest. 

Christmas came and the boys and girls in Miss Thompson’s class brought her Christmas presents. They piled their presents on her desk and crowded around to watch her open them. Among the presents there was one from Teddy Stallard. She was surprised that he had brought her a gift, but he had. Teddy’s gift was wrapped in brown paper and was held together with Scotch tape. On the paper were written the simple words, “For Miss Thompson from Teddy” When she opened Teddy’s present, out fell a gaudy rhinestone bracelet, with half the stones missing, and a bottle of cheap perfume.

The other boys and girls began to giggle and smirk over Teddy’s gifts, but Miss Thompson at least had enough sense to silence them by immediately putting on the bracelet and putting some of the perfume on her wrist. Holding her wrist up for the other children to smell, she said, “Doesn’t it smell lovely?” And the children, taking their cues from the teacher, readily agreed with “oohs” and “aahs.”

At the end of the day, when school was over and the other children had left, Teddy lingered behind. He slowly came over to her desk and said softly, “Miss Thompson…Miss Thompson, you smell just like my mother…and her bracelet looks real pretty on you too. I’m glad you liked my presents.” When Teddy left, Miss Thompson got down on her knees and asked God to forgive her.

The next day when the children came to school, they were welcomed by a new teacher. Miss Thompson had become a different person. She was no longer just a teacher; she had become an agent of God. She was now a person committed to loving her children and doing things for them that would live on after her. She helped all the children, but especially the slow ones, and especially Teddy Stallard. By the end of that school year, Teddy showed dramatic improvement. He had caught up with most of the students and was even ahead of some.

She didn’t hear from Teddy for a long time. Then one day, she received a note that read:

“Dear Miss Thompson:

            I wanted you to be the first to know. I will be graduating second in my class.

Love Teddy Stallard”

Four years later, another note came:

“Dear Miss Thompson:

            They just told me I will be graduating first in my class. I wanted you to be the first to know. The university has not been easy, but I like it.

Love Teddy Stallard”

And four years later:

“Dear Miss Thompson:

            As of today, I am Theodore Stallard, M.D. How about that? I wanted you to be the first to know I am getting married next month, the 27th to be exact. I want you to come and sit where my mother would sit if she were alive. You are the only family I have now; Dad died last year. 

Love Teddy Stallard”

Miss Thompson went to that wedding and sat where Teddy’s mother would have sat. She deserved to sit there; she had done something for Teddy that he could never forget.

______________________

Robin W. comment: So here I am at the end of the story -yet again in tears. I challenge you to become an agent of God like Miss Thompson – I know I became one when I started as the youth pastor here at FBCW. If we let Him, God can use each of us to love, encourage and buildup others around us in our sphere of influence. Be that change!   

Prayer:

Father God, forgive any thoughts I have in my heart that are displeasing to you. Fill me with your loving kindness and show me ways I can be an agent of change to do good here where I live. In Jesus Powerful Name – Amen.