Good morning…
Our written word community is beautifully living out the joy of 2 Corinthians 9:7 (CEB): Everyone should give whatever they have decided in their heart. They shouldn’t give with hesitation or because of pressure. God loves a cheerful giver.
We were given a fun invitation by LaTonya Gates, the founder and director of PAWkids. “Sue, everyone loved the 100 gift bags you and your friends made at Christmas. Now might you make Valentine’s Day bags for our senior citizens in Grove Park?”
“We would love to make you more gift bags,” my heart jumped for joy, trusting that cheerful givers would generously respond to the opportunity.
In last week’s post Repeat The Sound Of Joy, I blogged about the invitation, and without hesitation people came out of the woodwork. To everyone who emailed, texted, or called me, I responded, “What might you enjoy adding to our gift bags?” Everyone gave whatever they decided in their heart.
Symbols of God’s love cheerfully bubbled up. Gift bags with fun, fluffy packing. Homemade pumpkin mini muffins. Snack bags of Martha’s Mix. Emery board nail files. Shampoos and soaps. Hand lotions. Packets of tea/hot chocolate. Chapstick/lip balm. Homemade heart cookies. Hand warmers. Winter socks. Perfume samples. Pieces of jewelry. Valentines made by elementary students. Encouragement cards expressing God’s love. Handwritten Bible verses decorated by a mother/daughter pair. Oatmeal packets. Microwave popcorn. Salty snack bags beautifully adorned. With the hands of happy helpers, we assembled 100 Valentine’s Day bags in three magical hours, split between two shifts.
My car is chocked full again, bursting with Valentine’s Day love. At 10:00 am this morning, I’ll drive to PAWkids to unload the 100 gift bags with Larenzia Lawrence, LaTonya’s soulful daughter. Then Larenzia and I will hop in my car. Using the money donated for this PAWkids Project through the Gratitude Gift link on our SueToYou website, we will go to the store to pick out items to fill Valentine’s Day gift boxes for outstanding teachers from Kipp Metro Atlanta Public Schools, teachers who diligently guide the students we serve in the afternoon enrichment program at PAWkids.
Joy. Laughter. Fun-filled bonding. Now I understand more fully the wisdom of 2 Corinthians 9:7. When everyone gives whatever makes their heart come alive, people give freely without hesitation, feeling no pressure.
God loves a cheerful giver. For a long time I’ve known this Bible verse. Just now I’m coming to understand the divine dynamic at work in these five familiar words: God loves a cheerful giver. The love of God first fills the giver’s heart with cheer, with comfort and solace, with glee and hilarity. Then, freely and effortlessly, the love of God overflows each heart to magically fill 100 Valentine’s Day gift bags for the most vulnerable members of our expanding community.
…Sue…
