Then, Facebook friends responded to my request for another mama I work with, V, who had no money for Christmas gifts for her kids. One sent her a gift card. Another asked if V might want a sleeper sofa they no longer needed. (V did need another bed in the house!) A third friend sent her a bunch of gift cards, and wrapped gifts! A church offered Christmas PJs for the children of all the moms we work with! I quickly reserved some for all V's children.
Overflowing abundance out of nothing!
V, who has dedicated her life to God, is now turning her life around. This transformation began when she chose not to abort.
Still, life was not easy. She had spent her last bit of extra money for a Christmas tree. She had no money left for gifts for her children but she told me she had faith that God would make a way for her to put gifts under it.
When she received the couch, the gift card, and then the box filled with gifts in the mail, she was overjoyed. Her children would have gifts for Christmas! Then she read the tags on the wrapped gifts, thinking they would specify which child they were for. The gift cards were for her to buy gifts for the kids, but the wrapped presents were for her.
She said she cried. She could not remember the last time she had a gift for her under the Christmas tree. Then she sent me a picture of the Christmas tree and said, "I am the first one to have gifts under the tree this year. Oh Lord, it's a miracle. I cannot wait to be a blessing to someone else one day. I literally cannot wait."
A note from my friend tucked amidst the wrapped gifts shared her own story of difficult struggles that led to many times when she was living hand to mouth. Christmas gifts were out of the question. Many of her hard times mirrored V's struggles. God prompted her to respond to V's need because my friend had walked that path. She knew the sorrow of a Christmas without any way to buy gifts for her children.
The beauty of my friends' couch, cards, and gifts sent to a complete stranger is that V's faith was rewarded. Her decision not to abort, and to put her trust in God has not been easy, but she has often told me how blessings have flowed from that day.
I had sent V a gift card myself. She never received it. I sent it over a week ago. We sadly texted back and forth that it had either been stolen or lost. Then, while we were texting, there was a knock on V's door. The gift card had been placed by accident in a neighbor's mailbox days ago. He was just now getting around to checking his mail, and gave V the envelope from me.
"LOL," V texted, "Here we are talking about it, and the card shows up!"
God's timing is exquisite. I love V's faith, that God would provide. I love my friends' love and kindness in being used by God for that purpose. I had been feeling a little down, but this outpouring of love, and this expression of faith and trust in God's provision warmed my soul. It was just what I needed!
The world clamors to fill the longing for love by gathering more and more goodies for ourselves. Yet, God's love abides in us when we open our hearts and give to others. It is a great paradox.
When I sent the photo of V's tree, along with her note to my friend who sent the wrapped gifts, my friend said, "Oh thank you, Vicky. Honestly, it made me feel so good, it feels a bit selfish."
A divine paradox.
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May He bless you and the other angels fourfold.
ReplyDeletethank you! He already has.
DeleteYou warmth cockles of my heart. I needed a focus on the why of Christmas. We serve an awesome God.
ReplyDeletewe all need focus on that, sweet encourager!
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