As you all know, we have been plugging away on a Christmas Unit Study. And PQ has been working on a rather large service project to accompany his unit study. It has taken me quite some time to put this post into words. I've had a lot on my mind recently and I think I've finally put my finger on it.
We have been exploring various traditions and we are getting to the heart of the holiday. The real reason for the season. In the book of James in chapter 1 verse 17, it says that Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. As we start looking at this verse, we see the ultimate gift in Jesus. God's perfect son who was sent here so that we all could live. He is the ultimate Christmas gift. He is the one true Comforter. He is the one true Peacemaker. He is the one true Provider. He is what Christmas is all about.
PQ's service project was put together so that we could be the hands and feet of Jesus. He wanted to share the gift of God with the homeless. Having
Blessing Bags in our car didn't seem like enough. Sure, they're great when we see someone in need. We can hand them a bag of stuff and be on our merry way. And most of the time, we never give it a second thought. Our deed is done so it's time for us to move on, without really realizing how bad some people really have it in life. So for the service project, we opted to be more intentional with our homeless ministry efforts. Instead of waiting for someone to appear before us, we wanted to set out to seek the homeless and meet them where they were at in life. And PQ wanted to give each person a Christmas Stocking filled with various blessing bag items. Afterall, we don't know when the last time these folks had a Christmas Stocking to call their own.
When planning the project, we sought God's provision and He provided in abundance. We bought supplies on our own and had several other families donate items for us to use. It was clear that this was exactly what God wanted us to do for His glory. And little did we know that we would learn a lot about ourselves in the process. Seeing PQ's heart burdened for the homeless was something that I can't explain. This entire journey has been beautiful and quite humbling, to say the least.
PQ put handwritten notes of encouragement in each stocking.
Deodorant, peanut butter, lotion, razors, toothpaste, floss, sardines, peanuts, gum, almonds, wet wipes, crackers, granola bars, apple sauce, mints, lip balm, raisins...
...tissues, tea bags, Q-tips, hand warmers, socks, toothbrushes, Bibles, and handwritten notes.
Filling the stockings with his Papa...
30 Stockings Ready To GO!
Remember how I mentioned that bit about learning? Well, here's how that all happened. On Saturday morning, we woke up and it was raining. Nobody said a word about the weather until mid-morning (which was a few hours before we were scheduled to head out). When the topic of weather came up, we started talking as though it wasn't a good day to go out on the streets. We started talking about staying home and rescheduling for next weekend instead. And that's when we all realized that the homeless don't get to choose whether they stay inside or not. Regardless of the weather, they have to endure the cold, hot, wet, or dry weather that is upon them. And that was when we started packing poncho's and rainboots into the car for our trek. And the rest is history...
A Team Effort...PQ & Papa H
(Just for the record:seeing my husband lead my son to hand deliver the stockings was the most amazingly beautiful thing that I've ever seen. A true servant heart is the most beautiful type of heart.)
Taking the time to look around allowed us to find this...
it's someone's HOUSE!
Papa H went over 4 lanes of traffic to deliver this one.
This woman smiled as soon as PQ gave her a stocking.
Unfortunately, he's tucked behind the white car.
We were met with smiles all afternoon. Most of their smiles were dirty and dingy and some smiles were completely vacant of any teeth at all. Everybody seemed so grateful to be thought of during this season in their life. Being able to go through this project with my family has been the most amazing ministry experience that we've shared. We all realized how easy it is to make excuses about why something can't be done. And we realized how much more difficult it is to be intentional for God's glory. I don't know about you, but that's tough stuff to swallow. Why is it easier for us to make an excuse than it is to step up and do something intentional for God?
With all of the CT shooting news going on this evening, I can't help but wonder who we might be overlooking as we make our way through this life. I'm sure I walked past a dozen people today that needed some type of encouragement but I chose to plug away on my own list of to-do's. After all, it's easier to make excuses why I shouldn't stop and say hello to someone who looks distraught. Perhaps God is calling each of us to be more intentional with our lives. And perhaps being intentional with our lives means reaching out a hand to help someone that you might not have ever expected to help.
Matthew 25:35-36 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
