Little Sunday Story: Keeps and Giveaways

Keeps and Giveaways

by Ashley Karges

Sunday Gospel Sep 7, 2025

Luke 14: 25-33

Themes:

-Detachment and Sharing

-The decision to follow Jesus is personal.

Malulabelle opened her toy bin. She wanted to donate to a family in need from church. Her fluffy pup, Coconut, plopped on the rug to help.

“Look, Coconut. I'll make one pile for Keeps, and one pile for Giveaways!”

“Ruff!”

Malulabelle beamed and picked up the first toy. It was her favorite stuffy, a purple crocodile from the zoo gift shop. “Hmmm, not this one. It’s so soft and cuddly. This goes in the Keeps pile.”

Coconut leaped with wiggles and wags.

“What’s next…? Oh. Well, this is a special doll I got for my birthday. I’ll keep this one.” Coconut raised his ears.

“What about this?” Malulabelle found a strawberry shaped pillow and placed it in Giveaways. Coconut panted a smile. But Malulabelle felt a pit in her belly. “On second thought, I really like this pillow…” She moved it to Keeps. “Coconut, this is harder than I thought. All my toys are special to me.” Coconut placed his chin in her lap. They paused.

“I know what to do.” Malulabelle knelt next to her toys, closed her eyes, and folded her hands in prayer.

“Dear Jesus, I need your help. I want to help the family in need. But it’s hard to give up my toys. What should I do?”

Malulabelle continued sorting. She held each toy in a hug and smiled as she remembered the happiness of playtime with each one. "That's it! This is the feeling I want to share. Thank you, Jesus."

The next day, Malulabelle delivered a box of her toys to church for the family. Knowing how much joy these toys brought her, was the reason she decided to let them go. She wanted to pass on that special feeling to others. And that filled her heart with love.

Have you ever given away a favorite toy? How did that feel? It's hard to give up things we love. By letting go of our things, we can make more room in our hearts for Jesus.