“If you can't feed a hundred people.....
........ then just feed one.”
~Mother Teresa
........ then just feed one.”
~Mother Teresa
Today I popped over my "always keeping it real" friend Bill (cycleguy)'s blog... and he is discussing the issue of being overwhelmed with the needs of this world. He shares " it is hard to see that so much needs done and not feel overwhelmed. God has not asked us to take on every task out there. But He has asked us to be involved."
I say YEA and AMEN. We need to be involved.
And yes......it is easy to get overwhelmed and flabbergasted (is that really a word!?!) when you see how desperate the situation is in many countries due to natural disasters, crooked governments, and poverty/disease. But we cannot allow this to keep us from doing something.....anything....that can truly make a difference.
One of my Jesus lovin' friends, Jennifer from Getting Down with Jesus has beautiful insight on how effective we can be just by everyone doing one thing. She calls it Contagious Giving.
"......how each ONE thing we do multiplies into the whole BUNCH that we collectively offer up to the Lord. One plus one plus one .."
This week is National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child, a ministry with Samaritan's Purse. We love doing this every year......and encourage you and your family to join in this year.
Like prior years.....I let the kids decide who we will be buying for. You have a choice if you would like to send your box to a boy or girl.....and also the age range. Nev chose to make up a package for a girl in her own age group, figuring she would know firsthand what she would like.
At first she wanted to get computer games and I needed to remind her that most of these children do not have electricity, never-mind a computer. So we set out to buy art supplies, stuffed animals, a really cute little Etch-a-Sketch. We also grabbed a bunch of toiletries such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and tiss
ues as I explained that these were luxuries as well.My heart swelled as I watched my little girl carefully packing the items and explaining how this little girl could use the pocketbook to put her hair accessories in and sleep with the little stuffed goat she was excited to find. (teddy bears are over-rated according to my little goat-raising farm gal).
The cool thing that we found out this year with this project is that you can make your $7 donation (to cover shipping) online directly on their site and you are able to print out a bar-code label to attach to your box. Then you can actually track the destination of your gift, along with information about Operation Christmas Child in that country. How cool is that?
What a simple way for you to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to even just one of His children.
So whatcha waiting for!?!?! Visit the Operation Christmas Child site, check out all the info then have fun filling up a shoebox with simple items such as toiletries, small toys, and school supplies! I encourage you to include your children as well. What a beautiful way to teach them and others about the importance of taking care of the less fortunate. Knowing you are making a difference in a child's life is a priceless gift to give this Season.
The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' ~Matthew 25:40
Peace and love~
*~Michelle~*
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11 comments:
My wife and I both do shoeboxes- she does a girl and I take a boy. I never had a son (now have a grandson) so I reckon it is my way of "adopting" one. It is so rewarding. Thanks for the online suggestion. That sounds cool! And thanks for the link. You rock m' lady!
I love Operation Christmas Child. Our church has participated for a few years now. Take care of one--good message! Thanks Michelle.
She's definitely her mama's daughter; your generous, goat lovin girl!
It is easy to get overwhelmed. Thanks for the reminder that it's important to just get involved.
Take care my friend!
Hope all is well with you!
We packed our boxes last night at a church fellowship... lots of fun!
I'm impressed by something a mentoring teacher once wrote about our "giving back" and ministering to others. She says, "Focus on what is near, not far; small, not big."
Near and small.
That's how we change the world with God's love.
Thanks for stopping by.
peace~elaine
I always love visiting here too, my friend! I have to admit I'm not getting around very much lately, lol!
This is an awesome program!
Our church has a program in which we are able to buy Christmas presents for local children in need.
It's all very anonymous and we never meet who we're buying for, but I love being able to do it. We usually try to go as a family and pick things out together.
That's awesome what you're teaching your kid...to be kind and giving from the heart...Yes, there are lots of needs all around us and even one can make a difference. Especially at this time of the year. Thanks for the reminder. Blessings to you sister and may you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
aww, I love the shoeboxes! My boys have so much fun going out and picking things out to put in them! I love to see how they get excited to do it as well!
What a great way to teach the kids about giving. We have done shoeboxes in the past, but I think you have inspired me to get involved this way again, Michelle.
And, isn't Jennifer great? I just love it when I find a friend of a friend out here in cyberspace!
Just dropping by to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving sister. God bless you and your family!
That is a terrific ministry...
The pix of your little lady are adorable!
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