It is hard to sit in church, hear some stories about people who are hurting financially, and not get a rush when you know that you have been part of the helping.
That happened to me this morning, as it has each of the last couple of Christmases, as the Great Give 2016 played out in front of me.
For the past 3 years (including this one), our church has attempted to meet needs of our people who are struggling financially. Here is the way it has worked.
On a Sunday in December, members have been asked to share with the leadership, needs that they as individuals or family have. The needs are researched and verified, and then stories are presented to the congregation the next Sunday. No names, just needs.
The congregation knows in advance that they will be given a chance to participate at the end of that service, and they do, in a big way. It is heart warming to watch folks come down with their checks and cash. Each year we have met the needs that have been presented.
It is hard for people to be willing to say "I need help". When you sit in a church service with 4,5 or 600 others, there are more people that you don't know than those you do. You see all the smiling people, well dressed, and think that you don't want to stand out as needy. You don't want to be needy anyway.
But there are circumstances that may be beyond our control, job loss, health issues, divorce and single parenting times, and these can really pile on with a burden that saps your will and your joy.
And people like to help. They might have been there before, or they might just have an open heart to help where needs are seen.
A story was mentioned from the pulpit about a lady who had been involved in a group house for women who face addictions. She had completed her year and was ready to go back out on her own. Either she, or maybe someone who knew her situation, presented the need for help to get back on her feet again.
As the story was given, I noticed a few rows in front of me, several women turning and looking toward one of their number and smiling with thumbs up. They were truly thankful, as she was, that the church, through its people, had seen fit to help her begin a new life.
I thought, there she was, right there. A real person, not a number or a statistic, but a woman feeling the love of Jesus, because people cared.
This is not to glorify a church, or congregation, it is to know thankfulness when folks who can use a leg up, receive one, and God gets the glory.
It was a powerful day. One in the true spirit of Christmas.
I liked it, and I believe God did, too.
Amen
I'd much rather my donation go directly to someone in need than to a faceless organization that needs money just to run. Not that those organizations don't need running money, just that I don't have unlimited resources.
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