Good morning…
In mid November, our Mission Circle gathered at Northside Church to donate items and assemble Thanksgiving boxes for twenty-three of the food-insecure families at Sutton Middle School. After loading up the truck and driving the Thanksgiving meals across the street to the school, I received a text from one of the group leaders.
Her text read: “We were talking and wondering if there would be a need to help with Christmas for the PAWkids and their community? We think the Mission Circle would like this…we have so many giving and generous members!”
I let her know that I would check into the need with Larenzia, the Director of the PAWkids after-school enrichment program. The next Monday when our weekly group volunteered, before I could say anything about the Circle’s generous offer, out of the blue Larenzia approached me. She said, “Sue, is there any way you and your friends could help us with Christmas gifts for the kids this year? The woman who has done this for years is very sick and is unable to help us this year.”
It’s as if God had gone before us, sparking a generous idea to meet a deep need that we had no idea existed.
The Mission Circle women committed to buy gifts for sixteen of the kids and our book study groups and PAWkids arts and crafts volunteers signed up to adopt for Christmas the final fourteen kids. Last night at PAWkids, I had the privilege of asking each child individually what he or she might like to see in their personal Christmas bag.
Eye contact.
Forming their own hopes.
Using their own voice to express their own desires.
Their eyes sparkled as they were seen, heard, and valued as individuals. Such lasting gifts have already been given.
Next, God and I will spend intentional time sharing each child’s private wish list with our group of generous givers. The enduring promise of 2 Corinthians 9:11 is coming true right before our very eyes. Your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
…Sue…
P.S. Here is another way you can join in the fun of spreading Christmas joy. Next Monday, the 9th, we will be creating a Secret Santa shop at PAWkids, allowing each child to choose and wrap three gifts to give parents, teachers, or loved ones for Christmas. You are welcome to contribute to our pop-up shop, dropping off at our home by Monday any small gift items you might want to share (hats, gloves, scarves, jewelry, art supplies, lotions, socks, sweatshirts, lip gloss, games, candles, Christmas decor or ornaments, household goods, etc.) Look around your home and see what new or gently used things you might like to share. Left over items will be shared as gifts with the seniors citizens in Grove Park. Please text me (404) 401-8317 to make drop off arrangements.
