Cards Through Post

It seems that cards through post is a pastime. I believe this has been good and bad. Bad- because we have become such a digital world that the effort to sit down and add a personal touch to our communication can seem/feel drastic. Good- because when you are the recipient of said communication, it can seem/feel like Christmas. I am resolved to remember what good this pastime can bring and share it more this year.

Maddie and I wrote a card to a member of our former church. She is a special lady and we took a moment to tell her what she means to us. We have already received a response and Maddie was thrilled!

Let Us Become Like Children - Matthew 18:1-6

"But Jesus said, 'Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'"  - Matthew 19:14

Jared and I started teaching the cradle roll class (0-2 yrs.) at church. I was hesitant. We have never taught that age group. We have always felt comfortable teaching and working with 5th-12th graders. The way I see it, though, is this can also be a year of breaking free from our comfort zones. I am hoping baby steps towards that idea will open us up to growth and benevolence to depths we have never known.

Madison went up to the church with me to prepare the first lesson. She is such a thoughtful and helpful little girl. I pray the Lord can show me how to help her grow those talents.

We only have three children in our class, our son, Clayton (5 months), Eli (2 yrs.) and Kenley (8 months). These children are so sweet. We are just starting to get to know them, but I have a feeling they will teach us more than we will teach them in a year's time.

He is my stong tower - Shelter Over Me

Luke 14:13-14

Jesus said…"But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,  and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

 

On January 4, 2015 Madison and I headed to Central Church of Christ in Victoria, TX to assist in preparing a meal for the homeless in Victoria. It was an event that was organized by the Victoria Homeless Coalition. They strive to open a warm place for the homeless to go when the weather is threatening to hit freezing temperatures. The church family joins in by planning and preparing the evening meal. The Coalition brings in cots, warm clothes, and activities for them during their stay. It was humbling.

Madison was very helpful. At her young age, she has always been mindful of others and their needs. She enjoyed preparing the vegetables, cups of ice and the table to serve the meal. She even understood when she learned why we could not partake in the meal as well (we wanted to be sure there was plenty; you never know the numbers that events like this might draw).

 

I will be the first to say that I can count on one hand the amount of times I have helped the homeless in ways such as this (and not just monetarily). Giving of time is incredibly impactful. Most of what Jesus gave was of His Time, creating meaningful relationships and everlasting peace.

If you would like to find ways to give in this manner, visit:

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/

 

An Article that was written about the event in the Victoria Advocate Newspaper:

 

Warming Center Works to Keep Homeless Warm During Winter

 

 VICTORIA - Victoria's area homeless got a warm meal and a warm place to stay for the night thanks to the Victoria Area Homeless Coalition opening a warming center at Central Church of Christ in Victoria.

The center gives area homeless another option for a warm place to lay their head since most shelters in the area are overcrowded.

"It helps to ease the overflow for sure,” said Kim Pickens, President of Victoria Area Homeless Coalition.” A lot of the shelters will make exceptions and try to fit as

many people as they can in especially if it's a situation like tonight where it's going to be freezing. The problem is they still have a limited space."

The coalition provided each guest with cots, showers, donated clothing, and even medical care.

" I've done some screening for some folks and I'm going to have to take them to get medical attention,” said Lisa Campbell, volunteer and Public Health Nurse. “

We're doing everything we possibly can."

With temperatures expected to dip into the low thirties overnight causing a light freeze, the coalition knew it was time to open a center for those in need.

" When we start hearing that it's too cold for our pets to be outside...then we think about our friends we know that live on the streets,” said Ginny Stafford, CEO of

Mid-Coast Family Services.

The coalition opens warming centers based on several weather conditions like when the wind chill is below 32. And with another artic front coming through this

week, organizers say they're prepared to keep the center open."

"Well it looks like we'll be open again tomorrow,” said Stafford. “And we'll keep our eye on the weather. "

Keeping an eye on the weather to help keep area homeless off the streets and warm this winter.

The coalition will keep the center open for Monday nights as well.

 

 

Time

"There are not enough hours in the day."

"I just don’t have time."

"But the children have to be fed, bathed, etc. Their routines are important to them and to me."

"But we have a function, then the lawn needs to be mowed, and laundry has to be finished."

These are just a handful of the things I would say in describing the value I would put on time. Not very much.

Value is "the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something." It is also defined as "a person's principles or standards of behavior; one's judgment of what is important in life." - Google

It is time to create the kind of value in our lives that will emulate the love of Christ. Revamping the value I put on my time and my family's time is a great place to begin.

On January 1st, 2015, instead of rushing back home to start the infinite "To-Do" list, as I would have normally been a proponent of, we went to spend time with Jared's grandparents. It is easy for us in the hussle and bussle of our lives to forget the value in taking the time to sit and chat. No phones, no texts, no "Score!" from the current sport on T.V. Just enjoying time together.  Though the men did not take the most advantage of this, they did converse quite a bit while watching the football game. Baby steps…..

However, Maddie, Clay and I went into the sitting room with Jared's mother, grandmother and our nephew. Maddie had a great time, playing, laughing and arguing with her Blaine (cousin). And Clay and I spent time with the ladies, just talking and enjoying the children. These are the moments that we do not create enough. These are the moments that our grandparents grew up having and appreciated so dearly in a world not consumed with technology and "the next best thing." Or should I say, their "next best thing," was a visit to a relative's house after they walked  6 miles, up and down hill in the bitter snow. That is a little of an exaggeration (a hyperbole that my family uses often), for some.

 

 

It's time to create more moments that emulate the love of Christ. That is what He did during his time on earth. He spent time. Time with your ancestors and time with mine. So today, we spent time. And it was some of the most valuable time we have spent all week, and definitely all year to that point. ;)

Here is to a year and a continued lifetime of creating more time with deep value that emulates the love of our Father.

John 3:22
"After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing."

A Commitment

Giving is good for the soul. I have always felt this way, yet, fail to embrace it as much as I yearn to do so. This year, I plan to embrace the act of benevolence for a better understanding and connection to Christ and for my children. I plan to seek out ways to give of myself, whatever that may mean in any given moment. This is our journey.