Good Thing I Wasn't a Scammer!

As Care Ministry Coordinator at our church, I have had the privilege these past few weeks of organizing a benevolence effort for some families in our congregation who have been especially impacted by extended unemployment. After identifying and talking to the families, soliciting and counting the donations, and determining the distribution, it was time to purchase the gift cards.

Suffice it to say I have never been so thwarted in my efforts! I had the money. I had the authorization to spend the money. I began to wonder if anyone was going to let me spend the money in their stores! One place required the church to fax an authorization for me to use the church's credit card. I had church checks for other stores, but those are apparently incompatible with retail computerized check-acceptance systems. I finally gave up and decided to use my own credit card and get reimbursed - but then my credit card company got a little worried when I charged such a large amount at a couple of places, even though I had notified them ahead of time.

But the funniest - and to be honest, most worrisome - experience was at a certain store in the mall you can buy the Works for your Bath & Body! To make a long story short, I used the church credit card which had the church's name and the secretary's name on it; the cashier asked for my ID, which of course was my driver license. She looked at my license and never blinked an eye at the fact that the names didn't match. After "checking" my ID, she had me sign the credit card machine and I was on my way. So if your security gets breached, check for unauthorized purchases of lotion and shower gel. Apparently they aren't too concerned about an identity theft ring around the bathtub!

In spite of the aggravation and exasperation associated with the shopping, I can't even begin to describe what a tremendous blessing it has been to be a part of this. It literally sent chills down my legs as one couple approached me at separate times last night to express how overwhelmed they were by the church's loving generosity and by God's faithfulness. They had not even gotten out any of their Christmas decorations because their inability to get gifts for their girls had taken the excitement out of the season. After they received the gift cards for groceries and department stores and supercenters yesterday, they sat at their table and prayed, thanking God, and then the mom said, "Let's do Christmas!"

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TSMSS - Give Me Your Eyes

I'm in Houston attending a Tough Ministries conference. Sadly, there are too many ministries we consider "tough" in the church today but which are areas where folks are hurting and desperately need to know the love and hope of Jesus. Children in foster care. Orphans. Teen moms. Families with special needs children. Divorced individuals and their children. Folks broken by grief and loss. Families caring for seniors with Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. Folks with cancer. The list goes on and on.

On the way back to my MIL's after today's sessions, this song came on the radio. It never fails to touch my heart, and it was so timely after today's sessions.

Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity

Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see

More songs can be found at Amy's!

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Tuesday Tidbits

1. Everything seems to be in proper working order now in our "necessary" (as they referred to it in the days of long ago!). And I am very thankful that this did not happen during the three weeks I was without a washing machine!

2. I was horrified yet amused at the way that seemingly innocent fall blog quiz backfired. I certainly hope it's wrong about those of you it pegged as soon-to-die!

3. Thanks to all of you who provided information about how care needs are met at your church. I had a great meeting with our new pastor Monday and am excited about the possibilities of refining and expanding our care ministry.

4. Speaking of care, remember that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I would advise you to get a mammogram if you are over 40 and haven't had one in the last year. And be diligent about those self-checks.

5. A month ago I was minding my own business, so to speak. Then God intervened, and now my kids are each apparently going on mission trips in other countries next year, one over spring break and the other in the summer. Exciting times. (Expensive times!)

6. Due to #5, we are in the process of getting passports for them. Have you ever gotten a passport for one of your kids?! First of all, the application has to be submitted in person, not via mail. And both parents have to show up as well, or else you have to bring a boatload of notarized documents and vials of blood or court orders proving that the other parent gives permission for said child to obtain passport. (The only part I'm kidding about is the blood!) And then in our city, the passport facilities (located at post offices) require appointments. Between the hours of 9:00 am and 2:00 pm. Which, even with documentation from this official governmental agency, the school does not recognize it as an excused absence. Finally, one woman took pity on me at about the third post office I called and told me about ONE that took appointments on Saturdays. So I don't care if the swine flu or any other disaster befalls us, we will be at that appointment this Saturday!

7. We've been studying Romans a few verses at a time the last however-many-months in our Sunday morning Bible study classes. Such rich doctrine throughout this incredible book, and now that we are in chapter 12, it builds on that doctrine with some down-to-earth, practical advice for living the Christian life. And tucked in the end of chapter 11 is a doxology of praise that contains some of my favorite verses:

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable His judgments,
and His paths beyond tracing out!
"Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been His counselor?"
"Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay Him?"
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.
To Him be the glory forever! Amen.
Romans 11:33-36

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Reflections of the Day & a Winner!

I hope everyone has had a great Thanksgiving celebration today, and that you've had some time with family, some good food, and some moments to focus on and thank God for the many blessings you have.

I have not forgotten about this week's Booked for the Holidays giveaway, but when I arrived at my mother-in-law's house Tuesday night, I discovered that her internet access was down. I was thrilled when my man arrived this morning and after all the activities of the day he went upstairs and got it up and running.

I am a happy gal sitting here with my laptop as I watch my 'Horns beat up on Texas A&M. (Sorry Xandra - can we still be friends?!)

We spent the day at my father-in-law's Alzheimer's facility. Unfortunately he wasn't feeling well and slept much of the day. But possibly the sweetest memory I will have from this day is seeing my girl feed her granddaddy his supper tonight. Such a compassionate heart she has, and she loved doing it.

I'm looking forward to hearing how you spent your day!

Oh yes - congrats to Cathy Davis, the winner of The Cure! Email me your address and I'll send it your way!

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Teaching Our Kids to Care

Today was a day for funerals.

One in our nation's capital, comprised of a Funeral Mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church and then a Memorial Service at none other than the Kennedy Center, where 1,500 people ("a generous slice of New York and Washington royalty,") paid tribute to Tim Russert.

And another one here. As sixty people gathered to honor a beloved father and grandfather, I couldn't help but think how similar, in spite of their differences, the two occasions were.

But this isn't another "Death: The Great Equalizer" post.

For the matter on my heart today, though not for the first time, has been kindled anew by the image of two middle school girls at the local funeral. One, a granddaughter of the man who died. The other, the girl who sat beside her throughout the service, arm around her shoulder in loving support, comforting her in her grief.

It's not that they are close friends. Just two girls who are in youth group together.

But this encouraged me. Because my girl was the giver of comfort.

Now lest you think I have done some grand thing or that she is a perfect child, let me say for the record: while she does have a very tender heart, she is a Middle School Girl. She joined others of her gender in the Sin Nature Bonus Line that was handing out Eye Rolls, Sighs, and Attitudes. And her room is still not clean. (I'll cut her a little slack since we were out of town for 10 days.)

No, God's hand was definitely in this today.

But it did reinforce a soapbox passion of mine: that we teach our kids to care for others.

Firstly, they have to see us do it. And that often means taking them with us as we deliver a meal, hug a friend, attend a visitation or funeral.

Then, we need to give them opportunities to care. They can sign a card for a Sunday School teacher or neighbor who is in the hospital or has lost a loved one. They can say "I'm sorry about your granddad" to a friend. And learn that it's okay if the friend cries. And reap the blessing that comes from ministering in such a way.

A few months ago, another girl in the youth group lost her grandfather. As the oldest grandchild, she was the apple of his eye and was utterly devastated. At the funeral home visitation the night before the funeral, you should have seen the way her face lit up when she saw my girl walk in, someone her age who had come just for her. How glad we were that we had chosen to go.

I don't have it all together by any means. I mess up every day. But for a few moments today, I saw a glimpse that God can give a 12-year-old girl wisdom beyond her years to minister to a friend and He thereby blessed both of them.

I'm so glad I didn't leave her at home.

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