Teddy Bear Collection

They had struggled at one time.
In years past, I had lived with them when their tiny apartment only had mats to sleep on, a drippy sink, and a bathroom door that didn’t quite shut. Years later, they lived in a nice home with Western-style toilets and a teddy bear collection in one of the bedrooms. The upper level of the home had a balcony that looked out on a construction site… and some kids.

These kids were poor and belonged to the laborers, the workers who had put up makeshift homes nearby. Their kids played around the area while the laborers worked.  I stood watching them; playing in the construction mound dirt, defecating out in the open, and running dangerously near construction equipment.

“I wish I had something to give them,” I said to the teenage sister of the family.

“What about these teddy bears?” she said.

I gasped. “Good idea!”.

We gathered the teddy bears in our arms and marched out the door.
Through shy smiles, giggles, and wide eyes, the kids reached for the bears. We came home with full hearts.

But then, the older sister came home from work. She looked around and paused, “ Where are my teddy bears?” she asked.  Her younger sister looked guilty. I was mortified.
But, the older sister didn’t seem that upset. 
There was a mock argument, a pretend fight between sisters, which ended in laughter.
I was confused.  I apologized sincerely.

“The only thing I regret,” she told me, “ was that I was not there to pass out the teddy bears.”

That sounded very generous. But, something didn’t make sense.
I thought it over and came to the conclusion that no matter what culture, no girl on earth would be OK with someone giving away her teddy bear collection without her knowledge or consent.

In the back of my mind this puzzle sat and I couldn’t make sense of it.  Years later I asked her. “So, why were you not upset?”

She answered, “I was caught with so much (materialistic) stuff.  Didi (older sister) I was not mad, not at all.
Your coming into my life is from God. I have not always listened to you but whenever I have it has done good to me.”

Of course! In her country, some people are seen as blessed, giving protection, virtue, and divine guidance by their presence. This could be a parent., a sadhu, or even an unusual child. So she was saying that because I am a blessing for her, whatever I do in her life will bring blessing to her, even giving away her teddy bears.

To western ears this seems so superstitious, until I remember that Christ our Lord is the ultimate blessing.
His virtue and blessedness extended to the community. He talks about us as if we were one with Him and whatever he does in our lives will be for our good…even if we accidentally give away someone’s teddy bear collection.