It was the shopping cart that caught my eye first, and he was pushing it into the woods in an area near the railroad tracks where I hear that lots of homeless people live.
He was tall and lanky, with white hair, sunglasses, and stooped shoulders. A black dog sat in the front of the shopping cart, and the rest of it housed what might have been all of his earthly possessions.
As I spotted the homeless gentleman, I immediately pulled over in my black minivan with my three kids. I quickly stepped out of the comfort of my leather seats and grabbed a care package from the backseat, where my 3 year old sat, wondering what was going on.
We exchanged a few words as I gave him the goodies, and he seemed to appreciate it.
Then he walked back to his shopping cart, examining the gift with interest before heading off into the woods. I got back in my van and drove home, back to my world of heat, warm food, full bellies, and bills that will be paid. My 3 year old and I prayed for him on our way back home. We prayed that he would know he is loved by us and by the Lord, that he would have opportunities for a job and a home, and more than anything, we prayed that he would come to know Christ.
Care Packages for the Homeless
A "friend" gave me a supply of several care packages to give away as I run into homeless people. I know that she wouldn't want you to know who she is, so I'll just continue to call her my friend. She has thought about doing this for a long time and finally decided to just buy all the supplies and make it happen.I was at her house when she was putting the care packages together, and several of us joined in the assembly line to build about 20 or so care packages. She gave me three to keep in my minivan, but now we're down to two.
Here's what she put in her care packages:
- Warm socks that can be cut and turned into gloves.
- Chapstick
- Tooth brush
- Tooth paste
- Bottled water
- Granola bar
- Wet wipes
- A small Bible from the Gideons.
- $5 bill. There was much discussion about the appropriate way to provide a simple meal for a homeless person. She'd considered purchasing gift cards to a fast food restaurant, but if there wasn't a nearby location, she didn't want the homeless person to have to walk across town to buy his meal. Instead, she decided to give them cash and simply trust that it will be used wisely. And if it's not, she's OK with that too.
I really love this idea. I think it would be so easy for a group of friends or a Sunday School Class to put together these care packages so that the homeless would know they are loved. And that's really the bottom line. So many times, I feel like my hands are tied when it comes to reaching out in our community. But this is one small way that even I, as a mom with 3 little bitty kids, can show a homeless person that they are loved by their creator.
What are some ways that you are able to reach out to others?
What a neat post! I feel inspired! I think that this would be a great tradition to start as a Christmas activity for our family. We could assemble the care packages, or I can assemble them myself and give them as gifts to my loved ones at Christmas. The gift is a challenge for them to find someone to share the care package with and receive a Christmas blessing in return. I have been dreading Christmas this year, not for what it is(a celebration of our Lord), but for what it has become(idol worship in various forms). I found myself not wanting to participate in the whole thing, because I just feel deep conviction to not participate in the gift frenzy. Through this post, you may have found me a great solution that will enable me to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with my loved ones and not be such a Scrooge. Thanks Gabby!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed this idea. I thought it was pretty wonderful too, and I was glad they let me give some care packages out. Here's a neat idea that we may do on some level as a family next year: http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/12/the-grateful-christmas-project-7-ways-to-have-more-grateful-kids-this-christmas/
ReplyDeleteYour post is the first one that I pinned on Pinterest that actually took me to a site. For that I am grateful. I had a deep discussion with our Lord when I was going on almost 3 months of unemployment this past summer. I had seen this idea before and knew that as reward for getting my job back, i had to take a small sacrifice and pay it forward. Im nearing the time to lose my job again, and I have faith that its still the best time to pay it forward. I, too, hope they find solace in our saviour Jesus Christ.
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