Bringing Hope

Give This Christmas Away!

Matthew 25:35-40, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’  “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew West sings a song titled, “Give this Christmas Away.” The first few stanzas go like this:

What if I told you that you have the power to give someone hope far beyond their wildest dreams? What if I told you it’s right there in your hands? In your hands it's hard to imagine how something so small can make all the difference and tear down the tallest wall. What if December looked different this year? What if we all just give this Christmas away …

That is exactly what we gave to 15 families this year!  CCA, your kindness and generosity brought hope to families this Christmas! Here are a few of their stories:

Anthony and Maria and their three children are some of the sweetest people you will ever meet. Their daughter, Natalia’s smile will be in my heart forever. You see, when I delivered their gifts and food her eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. Her father (who is out of work because of an injury) was left speechless and her sweet mom (with tears rolling down her eyes) kept saying is all this for us?! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

 

Susan is a 60 year old shut-in (someone who is stuck at home) who has been battling cancer for 6 years. She lives alone with her three cats. She is going through chemo and radiation once again! Your love and kindness brought a smile to her tired eyes, and I think the greatest gift given to her was our time. Our “secret Santa’s” spent time talking to her and praying over her! My dearest friends, that is ministry! People do not care how much we say we love God until they see the love of God in us!

Amy is a middle class single mother of four  trying to make ends meet. Her statement to me was, “You get two steps ahead and then you get knocked back ten steps. Life is hard!”. We sent out a wish list for her and her children and the only things she had on it was groceries! Her humility and grace warmed my heart!  I took several students with me to deliver Christmas to her family. She was overwhelmed and eternally grateful for your gifts of love in Jesus’ name! She sent me a text saying, “Thank you so very much. I broke down crying just now. Overwhelmingly grateful! Boys just said in excitement that they haven’t seen our pantry so full in many months!! We are truly blessed by you all!!” My response to her, “To God be the glory, great things He has done!”

Sylvia has two children and one of them, her precious little five year old boy is dying of cancer! She is absolutely devastated. As we filled her car with gifts and food for her and her two children she was overwhelmed with happiness. Tears of joy and sorrow flowed down her cheeks as she hugged me and thanked CCA for all we have done! As I hold my six year old son who is not feeling well I am reminded that his is just a cold and in a few days he will bounce back to normal. Sylvia cannot say that; if the doctors are correct her son will not have another Christmas. Sylvia, did not know us before we delivered to her and I hope she never forgets our God who saw her needs and sent hope! Wow, what a gift God gave us to allow us to have a part in their lives. My friends, Jesus said if we do for the least of these we have done it to Him! I am grateful for such an opportunity.

Carla and her delightful son, Isaac are homeless. They travel between two friend’s homes and her truck. She has a job and he is faithful to be in school, she just doesn’t have a home! Do you know that statistics say that children learn better when they have a home? What we delivered to Carla is working to meet the needs of her son. One of the things she asked for were new tires for her truck. She said she knew it probably wouldn’t happen but I figured she would ask. Well, the Bible teaches us to live by faith, and a sweet family volunteered to put four new tires on her truck! She was shocked and amazed at the generosity! Once again to God be the glory!!!   

                     

I hope these stories inspire your hearts! I write these stories to encourage you (and myself) to live as Christ and to give our lives away every day! These are our neighbors who are in need. Sometimes it is so much easier to help those far away and we neglect those who are struggling at home. Please do not misunderstand me,  I am all about reaching and meeting the needs of those abroad. However, there are those in great need all around us and it only takes a little love to give Christmas away! Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the gift of hope! This is not about me, CCA, or our families- this is about the mercy of God being poured out on people’s lives to bring them hope! Jesus is hope!!

 

Corey