HE CALLED THEM BY NAME
The goal was a 1,000 Christmas bags. The need was 900. The bags given out? We will get to that later..The morning starts before 5:00 am when Pastor Dan and his wife Stephanie from Calvary PHX arrived at the church with the “ we will need a bigger truck” Uhual and his own truck to load ALL the bags for the day of distribution. It FILLED the entire Uhual and truck! Word got out at Calvary that we were still short of bags so they gave and gave and gave. Friends of friends continued to deliver bags to me on Friday night. We arrived at Andre House and began to set up. And then the gate was opened for the guests. Looks of unbelief, tears of JOY, bewilderment, humble gratitude were some of the words that were used when they were given their gift. And when the dogs and cats received their gifts? The dogs gave a generous smile while the cats…well, you know how cats are! But it was the stories that were shared throughout the morning that made an impact on many of us. A blanket was given but brought back because they didn’t need it and thought someone else could use it. The next person did need a blanket. A young man was given a beautiful sweater that could only fit a few…and he was the one. He came back to thank us because he needed to feel “ whole” once more. In each of the bags we placed a book called “One Way” to share the true gift of Christmas..Jesus. But it was this one story that truly brought me to tears. Her name is Chantel. A young, beautiful African American woman. She saw the gifts but slowly walked away from them. I asked her why and she said “ she wasn’t worthy”. Her past was filled with shame, regret, and sorrow so much that she couldn’t accept something so beautiful at any cost, especially something free. I shared with her the love of Jesus, his gift for her, and that He knew her by name…her Christmas bag was selectively put together with her in mind. I went back and got her the Christmas bag and she accepted it…with tears rolling down her face. I prayed with her and she left. But, not everyone wanted the gifts. Some wanted to take stuff out and get other stuff so it would be what they believed they wanted. You see, the bags were designed specifically for each person by God’s own choosing, to be accepted just as they were made. Sound familiar ? Jesus said “ I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father accept through me”. Like these Christmas bags, the JOY could only be found if you accepted it, as is, embraced it, and gave thanks with a humble heart. One woman tried to change her bags three times and in the end walked away with nothing. My prayer for those reading this blog that have still not accepted Jesus’ free gift of salvation, although it wasn’t without cost, would be like the woman who knew her shame but could accept the beauty of a simple Christmas bag…because He knew her by name and loved her. Don’t walk into 2024 like the woman who kept changing her bag and ended up with nothing. Oh, did I forget how many bags we received? 800!!!!! I was on the ground making bags with the extra gifts and when everything was gone we had given away 800 bags.. some didn’t receive them because they came too late. Don’t be late for your free gift…Jesus. Merry Christmas everyone and thank you to all that gave!