Today our homeschool group made over 1800 sandwiches for the homeless. A man, Mr. Law, from the organization 363days came and shared how he has given his life to providing food for those in need. When he spoke — it was with urgency — for families desperate for food. And blankets. And socks. And hats. And shoes.
Shoes.
It hurt my heart.
Just earlier today I complained that there were too many shoes in our entryway.
Later today I learned how two little girls take turns going to school because they share one pair of shoes.
Tonight I’m grateful for shoes and am determined to give away shoes.
I cannot believe how quickly I complained about too much when there are those around me with so little. How selfish I’ve been.
I need to change.
I can change.
I will change.
To learn more about the 363 Project feel free to watch this segment from our newscast. Mr. Law, the founder, came today — after being awake all night — to speak to our families. He took time to get down on his knee and thank my five year old Caleb for the fourteen cents that Caleb pulled from his pocket and gave to him. “For the little kids,” my Caleb said. This man lives his life serving others — not for glory or recognition — but out of love, and concern, and purpose. I need to learn from his example. And follow it.
16 comments
Really cool. And what a heart your young son has. Some good raising there!
My daughter is president of Interact at her high school, and the clug organized a shoe raising for “soles for souls.” A couple of hundred pair of shoes will now be sent to poorer countries.
These are great works.
You have a neat blog.
wb
Seriously, it is mind boggling and disheartening to hear true stories of the homeless…we have been talking about this too this week, it sure puts you in your place doesn’t it! You have a beautiful heart 🙂
I agree…you have a beautiful heart. Thank you for sharing it with us. So much we take for granted! May God give us His eyes to see the needs in our own backyards.
oh wow… the little girls who take turns going to school b/c of only one pair of shoes… so sa. and to think that i have so many pairs to choose from. this is such a good post, especially at this time of year when everyone who already has much buys more. what a precious caleb you have. what a beautiful organization.
oops… it should say “so SAD.”
Me too.
Thanks for sharing this.
Last year our pastor told us about a community in need of shoes and asked us to leave ours at the pulpit. Literally–leave the shoes we were wearing.
We walked out barefoot and donated over 2200 pairs of shoes. The pastor of the church in the community that needed shoes cried when they were delivered. Sometimes we look for big ways to help when God is gracious enough to say, “Give what you have and I’ll bless thousands with it.”
I’m continually blessed by the way God allows me to partner with Him to minister to others.
What a beautiful post and how easy it is to forget those in need and they are often right under us. May our hearts be overly sensitive to those at this special season of the year. And, may He bless us with giving hearts! Blessings to you!
Beautiful amazing post. What a reminder. Thankyou 🙂
K xx
Lifting up prayers!
Lamentations 3:55-58 I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon. Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry. Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not. O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.
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That’s a whole lot of people who were blessed with not only sandwiches but a whole lot more!
What a great way to minister. Before I moved to Oregon, I didn’t realize just how many shoes I had collected in my closet. It was so nice to donate them to families that could use them.
Thank you so much for sharing that. It was just what I needed this morning.
Wow, what a powerful reminder of how we take things for granted. I am going to go through my closet and donate everything that I don’t wear for one silly reason or another. No point in keeping my ‘fat’ or ‘skinny’ clothes just in case…when someone else might need them now.
Thank you for grounding us all with this story.
Do you have an contact information for Mr Laws organization?
Anna
This is so inspiring, thank you for sharing! I always lose sight of how blessed I really am and get caught up in all of my worries. This really puts things in perspective!
Hey Rachel… it is so ad that there are many deprived of so many things that we waste away..and complain of.
Thanks for sharing this with us!
Blessings,
Ruth
Yesterday I was at a park and was texting my daughter about how cold it was as I walked around…I was in mid text when I saw a homeless man heading up into the center of the park where he’d be less exposed to the wind. Hit me in the heard, too!
Know that the Lord is always with you, wrapping His loving arms around you and holding on tight!
Psalms 18:2-6 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
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