HEBREWS 13:16
Some might think Rebecca Borkovec could easily play a child’s version of the wife in the beloved Christmas story The Gift of the Magi. This eight-year-old third grader of Grendale, Wisconsin, heard aboutu the Locks of Love organization on a television commercial and decided to let her hair hang down for love—and a wig charity.
Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
HEBREWS 13:16
For two-and-a-half years Rebecca grew long, beautiful locks. At times, her hair was a real drag—literally. When she was swimming or shampooing, her hair would pull her head down in the water. Gymnastics brought problems too. Drying time seemed endless. But Rebecca kept her goal in sight. One day her hair would make a wonderful Christmas present for a child who had lost hair during chemotherapy. Rebecca’s mother encouraged her, took time to braid her hair, and kept fixing it in creative ways. And Rebecca reminded her mom often, “We have to get it trimmed, so it will look nice for someone.”
On February 9, 2000, Rebecca settled into a chair at Barbaba’s TLC hair salon and signaled Barbara to start cutting. Was Rebecca sad to see her locks fall? She just sat there smiling. Why? “Because then the next time I went into the water, my head wouldn’t be drooping down, and I was smiling because I was going to help people.”
But Rebecca didn’t stop there. “I’m going to do it again,” she promised, “so I can help them again.” It will probably take about three years.52
Most people give, if their money is headed toward research or a tax write-off and if the sacrifice is not too great or time-consuming. Rebecca’s gift brought her no tangible returns, only the sheer joy of knowing she gave a headful of love to someone in need.
True charity is the desire to
be useful to others without
thought of recompense.
EMANUEL SWEDENBORG