Someone asked me once why my faith is as strong as it is; even if I don't always seem to show it...well, I feel like I should try and oblige that person with an answer.
Have you ever seen the random acts of kindness from a complete stranger? You don't really know what true love is until you see some people in this world. Just when you believe that the world is a horrible place, someone comes along to change your mind.
Back in January, our cat got sick the same day Scott was coming in from Iraq. Scott told us to take him to the vet, he'd find a way to get home. We took Jake to the vet. They had to preform emergency surgery on him. It would cost 800 dollars. We didn't have that kind of money. When a woman saw my mom crying outside, she asked her what was wrong; my mom explained it to her. The woman asked our cat's name, then went in and paid half the bill. This woman had been previously dubbed as horrific because she'd nearly hit me the last time we were there. After Jake got his surgery; he held on just long enough to see Scott one last time.
Another instance is a simple story of a girl who wanted to do something special for a special person. I wanted to get Scott something for Christmas, a cross necklace since he'd just gotten baptized and was going to Iraq. I stood at the counter for almost two hours and looked at that one necklace. Well, a man came up beside me and asked me what I was looking at. I said I wanted to get a necklace for my stepdad whom was going to Iraq. The man told me that he had just gotten back from there. Well, I was staring at the necklace, and the card I held only had 20, but the necklace itself was 25. I asked the woman at the counter if there was any way to make it less. She said not without removing the chain. The man handed me five dollars and said "merry Christmas", then left.
There are several instances in my life that are too coincidental to be an accident. I was explaining that to my childrens pastor last night. My life is way too coincidental.
For instance, on Wednesday, I brought my new friend to the farmer's market with me. On the way there I found out that he was a weapons enthusiast. I asked him to help me pick out something for my brother for Christmas. We found the perfect sword, but I didn't have enough for it. Well, Diane offered me five towards it, then my friend said "Well, I have exactly five"...and together we had just enough. The fact that he only knew me for two hours from Sunday was just astounding. (Btw, I will pay you back ^_~)
My dad raised me to believe that when someone needs something, don't hesitate to give, because it will always be replaced. That's true in more ways than one. I'm sure dad knows of all people how much it takes to donate sometimes. I always make sure to get change before I leave for Wednesday, just so I can give change to the kids who don't have offering. I give my bible to a child whom needs it because I have three. I talk to people whom need it. I give money when I have it. I donate books to the library. I talk about myself constantly. ^_~
What I'm trying to say is that when I was growing up, we had to pick and choose our fights. We had to choose what was kept and what was lost. I was stingy growing up because I liked to keep all my toys. When I turned thirteen, I took every single Barbie item I owned and put it in a box...all 800 dollars worth...and donated it to Salvation Army...and some little girl out there got all of it for five dollars. I miss my childhood, and I feel I grew up too fast...that's why I love being childish. ^^...but the whole thing I'm getting at is that I know why I do it.
Do you ever get that thrill when you donate? Did you ever get that faster pulse when you give someone a dollar they need? When you give a toy to someone less fortunate? When you find a way to make someone smile, even when no one could? When you reach that one person no one could? Don't you ever get that insane warmth when you do that? I'm addicted to that feeling. That's why I chose children's ministry. It's so easy to effect their lives. =)
I almost broke down crying on Wednesday because we did something where we (the leaders) had to write one thing we liked about each kid. I made one boy smile from ear to ear when I wrote "when you don't tackle me". But of all of them, there's one I remember the most, and I still have it written down. One girl in particular wrote "you made me feel better when I was at camp", because she was one of the girls whom wasn't fighting when all the other older girls were. And those little moments are what reassure my faith and that I made the right choice.
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