Saturday, November 30, 2013

#29

Y'all know I'm the world's biggest Bebo Norman fan. 

Well - he tells this story at all his concerts that makes me cry every time. 

I'm gonna butcher it... But the basic gist is that Bebo talked with a government official in an African nation where mass genocide was going on. This man's job was to count the dead bodies in the mass graves. 

Can you imagine? His job was just to count. 

And when Bebo was talking to this man, the man said: "I used to wonder, "In the midst of such unspeakable tragedy, where is God?' Now I ask, 'Where are God's people?'"

When I think of all the kids around the world that will not wake up on Christmas morning to piles of presents, and are struggling just to have food or clean water or a safe place to live- I am just overwhelmed. 

How can I help?

What difference can I make? 

I love Samaritan's Purse and their Operation Christmas Child program because they make it easy for me to make a difference. 

A few weeks ago, I filled up one little shoebox. One shoebox with gifts for one sweet 5-9 year old little girl. 

The loot. 

I absolutely loved this fuzzy little lion. 

I felt like a crazy granny putting socks in there. But everyone needs socks...right? 

Princess puzzle! 

 Ok ok ...I did put candy in there. But I bought a toothbrush also!! :) 

I don't pat myself on the back for this. I know my little shoebox doesn't fix the poverty, or the sickness, or the hopelessness that the little girl who receives it probably lives with every day. 

But I do hope that it makes her smile.

I pray that this little tiny gift shows her God's love and brings her hope. 

After all - that's the reason we celebrate. 

I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” 
(Luke 2:30-32 NLT)

Now I know:
I can make a difference. Even if it's one little shoebox at a time.