God, Let Me Be a Blessing

Recently our family heard of another family in need. Like all the stories you might hear of out there at this time of year they are struggling.

I don't want to get into all the details of how and why as I think that things like that should be kept hush. They have enough on their plates without worrying about others speaking of their personal business.

Suffice to say they have more to worry about than just presents under their tree. At the top of their list was "space heaters with long extension cords". Break.my.heart.

I have been sitting here worrying about what new Xbox game to get Graham (hello $59.95 that I'll never see again) and another family can't get warm this Christmas. I feel both shame and thankfulness for the giant slap in the face that God has just given me. My own worries are nothing compared to what others are facing. My stress is just a drop in the bucket compared to that other family's.

I look at our wrapped presents under our tree in our warm home and realize that none of those things matter at.all. How I wish I could just go and pluck items up that I've already purchased and pass them on to this family (Sadly, the children of this family are a 6 year old girl and a 14 year old boy. Nothing that I've gotten for my kids would really match up at all with what their other kiddos might want or need.)

This is the season for our family to give back. We've been blessed in the past and we need to start paying that forward. We have started getting some things together for the family. Some of our really good friends and family (Love you Melanie!) are helping out as well.

I'm still worried though. I'm done Christmas shopping (and so is my budget :) and there is just a little bit money that my family can contribute. My prayers are that it is enough and that Gods blessing is placed on the items that we can give them!

When thinking and praying over this situation this morning my mind stayed to on of my favorite stories from the bible.

Matthew 14:13-21

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

I hope and pray that when I head out to the store later that my money mysteriously multiplies :) and that there are some insane sales!

God, please bless this family. Gentle their financial worries and let these items be just what they need. Let the children that are opening these gifts on Christmas morning ooh and ahh over what they receive. May the blessing of my family be passed onto this family as well. Amen.