peanut butter

We've given out countless numbers of peanut butter sandwiches since we moved into our house 2.5 years ago. When kids come over and they are hungry, this is a staple that I always try to keep on hand. Sometimes if they come right at dinner time they'll come in and eat something better with us, but often if it's in the afternoon, this is what they get. On one hand it breaks my heart that kids come here hungry because they don't have enough at home, but on the other hand it delights my spirit that kids come here when they are hungry because they know that will get something.  What's even harder to see at times is when they act embarrassed at asking for or taking food. When we can see that it's an issue of shame for them. A second grader stopped by tonight to ask for an apple. When I asked if she would get dinner at home she said she didn't know. When I asked if her aunt usually cooks for her (she lives with her aunt and cousins) she said no, they had to find/make something themselves. She left here with peanut butter. 
It's hard to explain to my kids what that all means, especially Andrew who is so inquisitive now about why people do things and what things mean. But I pray he takes away from these interactions with our neighbors that it's a delight to share what we have and it's a joy to give. That God has blessed us beyond measure so that we can give what we've been given to others. When we pray at night for people, he always asks that they have good food to eat. (and sometimes he asks that they'll have good pets and good cars too :-). But I love that he understands, even to a very small degree, that the things we have are gifts.