"Don't Just Count Your Blessings, Share Them". Those words grace my eyesight every day. I'm thankful to receive such a powerful reminder. All too often I find myself honing in on the blessings, but fail to take the time to pass them along. Blessings are a gift. Gifts are meant to be given; shared.
For years now, I've participated in an amazing outreach called Operation Christmas Child. Years before we were blessed with our oldest son, I felt a burden for children less fortunate. My memory is sketchy (yes, I can face the truth!), so I'm not sure as to the, "who, what, where, and when" of how I became involved; one thing I do know, however, is that it blesses our entire family to give in this way.
This year our youngest son was given the opportunity to "decorate" the shoebox entirely on his own. No holds barred. It's so fun to see what the boys come up with each year, and they never fail to surprise me with their creativity. Taking time to personalize our box also allows time to reflect upon the little child that will receive our box.
This year our youngest son was given the opportunity to "decorate" the shoebox entirely on his own. No holds barred. It's so fun to see what the boys come up with each year, and they never fail to surprise me with their creativity. Taking time to personalize our box also allows time to reflect upon the little child that will receive our box. So many questions surface, as much thought is given to the task at hand. One question stood out in contrast to years past: "Mom, does our shoebox kid have a Mom and Dad?". The boys had recognized that these children might not have tangibles, but had never really connected family with their circumstances. My heart was saddened. There's a very real possibility that our shoebox child might not have a mother or father; no family to speak of.
This then, prompted me to think of what each child receives within each special little box: Jesus. These boxes contain "family" for each of these children, as Jesus Christ is our Father. For some, this may be their only tangible gift, but it is also an Eternal Blessing; an everlasting Father.
When Conor finished his box, I asked him what he had painted. He replied, "a cross on The Rock". I probed him a little further for an explanation, and he said, "The Rock is God, and Jesus died on the cross.". Conor is sharing his vision of Christ with a sweet little boy. This is his Shared Blessing -- his Gift given -- our Gift, forever.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever! Psalms 118:1
This then, prompted me to think of what each child receives within each special little box: Jesus. These boxes contain "family" for each of these children, as Jesus Christ is our Father. For some, this may be their only tangible gift, but it is also an Eternal Blessing; an everlasting Father.
When Conor finished his box, I asked him what he had painted. He replied, "a cross on The Rock". I probed him a little further for an explanation, and he said, "The Rock is God, and Jesus died on the cross.". Conor is sharing his vision of Christ with a sweet little boy. This is his Shared Blessing -- his Gift given -- our Gift, forever.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever! Psalms 118:1
Very awesome tradition. We send about 7 boxes each year in our American Heritage Girls troop. It's not quite as personal as doing a family box, but I love being part of a group that does this!
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