Good morning…
In a week that “should” be festive and fun, many people I love are wrestling with some really hard things. Hearing the heaviness of others, I am prayerfully drawn down into a sense of melancholy blue.
The grueling impact of cancer. An untrue accusation drives a long legal battle. The ugly cycle of marital strife is hurtful. Grieving the sad, slow loss of a living spouse to Alzheimers. Abusive energy wreaks havoc on some families. With the old passion sucked out of a long career, “Now what’s next?” Several friends are missing loved ones who were with us last Christmas.
With so much pain pressing in on so many, taking quality time to playfully volunteer at PAWkids does my soul such good. Enjoying messy fun changes my focus, lifts up my spirit, and fills me with a bounty of benevolent joy.
As we share the gift of creativity with others, the line between giving and receiving becomes beautifully blurred.
“For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give—large or small—will be used to measure what is given back to you” (Luke 6:38, TLB).
I experience the love of God overflowing among us, even as challenging circumstances draws us together in vulnerable humanness.
…Sue…
P,S. Today a handful of us will decorate the PAWkids Christmas tree (9:30 – 11:00 am). On Wednesday, another group of us elves will set up a Secret Santa Shop, choosing and wrapping gifts with the kids for their parents and grandparents (3:00 – 5:30 pm). Then on Friday, we will have our final PAWkids gathering for the semester, a Christmas party where all of the kids will receive personalized Christmas gifts and a new coat purchased by generous people from nearby church (2:00 – 4:00 pm).
Please text me at 404-401-8317 if you would like to join in any the mood lifting magic!
