Thankful

I know I'm slacking with keeping my blog up to date, but I feel like some one hit the "fast forward" button on me. I've just had a lot going on lately and I haven't stopped long enough to collect my thoughts enough to write anything worth reading! With a little quiet time on my hands tonight, I'll give it a shot.

It's funny how God prepares our heart for things and we don't even have a clue what's going on. Several weeks ago, I got an email about a child in 2nd grade who was in desperate need of some clothes. He wears the same thing to school every day. He needed underwear, socks, pants, shoes and shirts. When a teacher knows that a child needs underwear and socks... you know it's bad. The request by email reached me because of being a Life Member of the Junior Auxiliary of Rankin County. Amy Marler, the member who is in charge of responding to emergency needs of families in the community, forwarded the request to the inactive members after not getting a response from the actives. She was asking if anyone had boys clothing in this child's size. When I got this email, I responded to Amy and told her that I would go to Old Navy and get this child some winter clothes. I also got him a costume for Halloween and stuck it in the bag. I knew that his school has Halloween parties and I didn't want him to be without one. Instead of feeling good about what I did, I had such a sick feeling about myself. I realized that I've been living in my own little world for the past few years without thinking about children in my own community with basic needs. For seven years, it was right in front of me when I was active in JA. Especially, the last four years or so when I worked with the children's shelter and the welfare committee (needy families). I remember one day at the children's shelter when a child asked if they could go home with me to live and another time when a child asked if I could be his mommy. I think each time I left there, I cried the whole way home. I could hold it together while I was there, but as soon as the car door shut....I would break down. I would head straight home and hug my kids a little tighter.

When I served as President, I really became involved in the welfare committee. We always had a family we would adopt and worked closely with them and provided financial assistance when needed. This wasn't just during the holidays... it was year round. I think that's what is wrong with our society. We all become generous during the holidays, but fail to remember that there are needs throughout the year. We're talking underwear and socks that we take for granted, workbook & field trip money, school picture money, a pair of pants that the teacher doesn't have to use a string to keep them on the child, etc. It's so easy to take all these things for granted. I did.

When another need arose a couple of weeks later, I was able to help by cleaning out Leigh Ashley's closet. It happened to be 2 girls- kindergarten & first grade. We went through her closet and filled 3 bags with nice, gently worn things. In fact, some still with tags. I did go to Old Navy and got a couple of things on sale to make sure they had enough in both sizes. I do think bringing these needs to my attention was God's way of saying "Yes, I'm talking to you. Have I got your attention yet?"

Even though I've served my time volunteering in organizations, that doesn't mean that I shouldn't have a servants heart daily. It's not someone else's problem. I can't hit the delete button and assume that someone else will take care of it. 2 Corinthians 9:11 says "You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."

So, it's Thanksgiving Day in less than an hour. I have so much to be thankful for-family, health, friends... I could go on and on with things that you can't put a price on. I cherish these blessing and want find ways to use them to bless others. God started preparing my heart for this Thanksgiving weeks ago. He opened my eyes to see just how much I've been blessed and how I should pass them on to others.