The Generosity Experiment: Day 2
Find out what happens when you look for opportunity to give. To start from Day 1, click here.
Melody. Her name fits her beautifully. She is a woman with a song in her heart, one for Jesus.
We met in a bible study that neither one of us wanted to be in. But now I am thankful to know the before and to experience the after of my true friend.
Recently, over a Saturday lunch, Gutzy Girl came to mind as Melody glowingly effervesced with joy as she told me of dreams and plans coming true.
“God opened my heart to see there is a generation right here in my backyard that doesn’t know who God is, aren’t given the opportunity to attend church or to be taught God’y character. I get to bring hope into their lives at the Boys & Girls Club.”
I’ve seen Melody pour out her love on these children by volunteering weekly, spending her last $20 on their needs, praying for each by name, purposely engaging the mostly single mothers, convincing her church to use resources and volunteers for a Boys & Girls Club VBS, and helping over 60 kids come to know Jesus personally in the last three years.
But last Christmas was different. As Melody took two of her Club girls shopping, “I’ll never forget seeing the excitement on their faces as they were experiencing the joy of being able to buy gifts. I think they were more excited about what they were picking out for their mom and brother than their own wish list.”
Through Melody’s tenacity, creativity, and prayers, she responded with an entire program for the children to earn ‘cash’ to spend on a special ‘shopping’ day where the kids can buy gifts for their family. With contagious love, her church family and friends have generously donated items for the kids to purchase. It’s going to be quite a party with food, shopping, gift wrapping, and of course Christmas carols.
To quote the Matthew West & Amy Grant song, Give This Christmas Away, “Your life will be changed by the gift you receive, when you give this Christmas away.” Melody’s gift to the kids at the Club is for them to experience life change by enabling them to give to others.
Thank you Melody for being His hands and feet, for calling these kids your own, and loving them only the way He could through you. You’re an inspiration to us all. Please keep giving Christmas away.
How are you using your gift this Christmas?
By: Someone You May Know
Leave a Comment
I love this story because it shows that children just need to have that opportunity to go with what is really in their heart. If we encourage the good stuff, they will shine with joy and grow to keep it within forever, shining it on others always.
I’m making a decision this advent to keep the less important stuff at the bottom of the list. Of course I’ve said it before, but we keep trying, keep believing.
http://forsakenforlent.blogspot.com/2009/12/hope-every-day.html
Thank you for this wonderful idea. Our eyes are often times closed to the very things God wants us to see and act on. Im praying now that my eyes will be open. Today is a very cold day in the midwest…those bell-ringers are freezing. I hope I find opportunites today! Thanks!
Thank you for sharing! What a wonderful story of how God can use even the smallest amount to bless others.
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