Giving...

Good morning. What a CRAZY few days the last one's have been. Good crazy though. Trying to finish Christmas cards and shopping for the family. In the midst of all of that I met a sweet lady at our church food bank last Wed. She has five children and is keeping three more that are not hers right now. She is struggling to put food on the table and is mourning not being able to have Christmas for them. I had been praying about someone to help or for God to help us to have eyes and open hearts to be able to help someone in some way. I struggle with how insulated our lives are from anyone that is needy or is different from us. We worry about trying to figure out what to give our children or family. It is hard because we have everything and we try to think of something cool that they would like. That is ok, but my heart has sprung to life in these last few days with the thought of being able to help someone who really needs help. Here is a family that needs SO MUCH, and we can be a blessing.

It has been awesome and I don't use that word lightly. Awesome and God just go together and He is working overtime! I called our youth minister and he sent out an email for food and presents for this family of 11. He immediately got a call from our high school principal that he had boxes and boxes of food that his teachers donated at school and that we could have them. I sent out a message over facebook to friends of ours at church and already our living area is covered with gifts for this sweet family. Thank you wonderful brother's and sister's!

People want ways to give and I am thankful God gave us this little chance to make a difference. I called Mom and she loved the idea and called the school where she lives and found out about a mom and four kids that are having a hard time and will not have much Christmas this year. She now has it all planned out for us to shop and help this family when we get there next week. I am not telling you all this to say that we are something special because we are not. I am telling you because there are people right around you that need help so badly and to pray that you will have the opportunity to help. Pray right now... that today God will put before you someone that you can help. Not only for Christmas, but for long term. We have got to get into the lives of people that need the Lord and need help.

A friend of mine on facebook yesterday said these words: "Give to the needy, or Christmas is just a party." I think in the long run we will be more blessed than those we help. I pray that we can have God's eyes to see people we can bring "home" with us someday. Maybe if we help to meet their physical needs they will see God a little and want Him in their hearts.

Blessings on this beautiful sixth day before Christmas! Love, Amy