CHRISTMAS: A TIME TO GIVE

Both Jake and Nick thought about the answer. Who ARE these Christmas bags for? Nick finally replied “ the homeless”. Yep. But this time I got help…from the residents I work for! It became a Christmas project for them each morning. As we got donations from others, we would put them in the bags. One morning I asked what other items would be beneficial. You see, they KNEW because they had lived on the streets for different periods of their lives. One woman in particular had a story I wanted to share. She had been involved with drugs and ended up on the streets. She gave birth to several children who also ended up in drugs. As she shared, they did “horrific” things to get the drugs. This kind of life continued to destroy them all, both their physical bodies and their souls. She finally hit rock bottom and cried out to God for help. And He did. But, like many of us, we forget the goodness of God. Until a month ago. As we talked more about Jesus , she asked if He could come into her life and be her Lord and Savior. One of our staff members bought her a new bible. Another staff member from CCV is now holding weekly bible studies for them and she is learning for the first time what Christmas is REALLY about. She has found Jesus again but her choices from her past still have had consequences. The difference? She’s not alone. She knows now she is loved and still has a purpose. As she told me, “ I should have died but I didn’t so I must still have a reason to be here”. This Christmas Eve she will be giving her testimony at the facility where we will be streaming the CCV’s service. As I carried these Christmas bags into my car, I couldn’t help wondering if there would be another person, like this woman, who will look up and meet Jesus for the first time. I pray that as each of you are out getting those special gifts, you might remember the words from Jesus “ as you give unto the poor you give unto me”. May you also find JOY in giving this Christmas season.