Thankful Thursday: Be A Blessing

Some time ago, I did a blog post on packing a blessing bag…… It is something I wanted to do but just never seemed to get to.  This post inspired someone to make it her mission.

I met Maxine through this “purse gig”.  She was on my team for a little bit.  She and I stayed in touch over the last few years by praying for each other and just being there for moral support.  She reached out to me to ask for some suggestions on growing a ministry which is near and dear to her heart.   Here is Maxine’s story in her own words…..

Awhile back I decided to do bags for homeless people. Nothing elaborate just simple items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, small soaps, a pen, a little note pad, a pair of socks, a razor, a pack of Kleenex, a granola bar, some cheese crackers, small snacks, hand sanitizer, and a rain poncho.  I was working as a home health care  aide and traveled on the bus every day.  I always carried a couple with me and if I came across someone in need I would give them one . I don’t put cash in them simply because you just never know.  Many people hustle for money for other things. Fast forward to now. I’m driving for Lyft and I come across a good number of people so I started doing it again.  Handing bags out to those who are in need – usually when I stop at a traffic light.  You can kind of tell who’s legit and who’s not when you hand it to them.  But regardless, I try to help everyone I can. I use ziplock bags to hold the items. I want to continue this ministry but I am struggling.  I come across a great number of people every day while I’m out driving.  I’ve been doing this all out of pocket!   The time has come when I can no longer afford to do it and it is breaking my heart . We are ourselves are  living in a hotel.  God has blessed up and we  get through day by day.  He makes a way!  Even when I cannot see it, He makes a way.  I am reaching out to others for donations – monetary and for items to fill the bags.

The hotel where we are staying has offered to do some extra soaps and shampoos to help.  I am reaching out to churches and other organizations to see if they can help with individually packaged snacks and things.  But there is still a gap.  The need is so great….

I am reaching out to my readers and my friends.  Won’t you consider helping?  Maxine has set up a PayPal account to collect monetary donations (https://paypal.me/maxineniemeier?locale.x=en_US).  Every little bit helps.  She lives in Chicago, so if you have any suggestions or contacts please let us know.  I’m trying to help her keep her ministry alive….

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

Does Your Light Shine?

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:16

Happiness is derived from helping others, making a difference, and serving the world in your own unique way.  For me, I try to do it by helping those who are struggling.

No matter what your purpose is, let your underlying mission be to “live your life in a way people say  “There’s something different about them and I want to feel the same peace, joy, and love in my own life.”

Matthew 5:14-16 says, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Here are five ways you can share this idea:

1. Look for ways to be a blessing.

Letting your light shine means letting all the good within you come out. In a world full of negativity, you will be amazed at the light which enters your world when you do something good.  It is like a burst of fresh air. Be sensitive to the needs of others. Find ways to be a blessing to others with simple random acts of kindness.  It can be as easy as a “thank you” or holding the door for someone, or paying for someone’s coffee.  It can be for someone you know or someone you don’t know – either way, your light with shine.

2. Refuse to be judgmental.

One of the fastest ways to turn people away from God is to judge them. And sometimes we do it without even realizing it.  Have you heard the saying “hate the act not the person”?  Basically, we can acknowledge a person has done wrong without condemning them for it.  We are all sinners and fall short every day.   We have all done things we need to be forgiven for, and by grace the grace of God,  we have received forgiveness.  Choose to pray for those you feel tempted to judge – not always an easy thing to do. Embrace and support others when they are trying to do better. .

3. Speak up for what is just.

Speak up for what is just—not right. Do you confuse being right with doing right? I know I have.  We should really be focusing more on doing right. No matter what, especially during conflict, it’s essential you treat people justly. Ensure those who cross your path are better off because they encountered you.  When in a situation where others are being cheated, disrespected, or done a disservice, let your light shine and speak up. Don’t ATTACK but do it in a direct, calm, straightforward, and nonjudgmental manner.  It may not always be easy but it is important to do.

4. Let go of the desire to fit in.

This is probably the toughest thing for this “people pleaser”.  Letting our light shine when we feel the need to fit in everywhere you go, is probably the hardest thing for me.  I am learning a simple smile, talking kindly to people can make all of the difference in the world.  When we are more concerned about being an instrument of truth and love rather than fitting in, our light will shine.

5. Don’t hide your spiritual life.

Do you have a relationship with God but pretend publicly he is not central in your life?  If God is an important part of who you are, why would you keep it to yourself?  Does it have something to do with fitting in?  I don’t mean you need to have a Bible on your desk or quote scripture all of the time. When an opportunity comes up  to share where your strength comes from or how blessed you are, be honest.  Your faith is a part of who you are. When you free yourself to be who you are, you also free others to be who they truly are.  You will also stop trying to please the world.

Has your light dimmed in today’s crazy world?  I challenge you this week to find one way to share your light with the world.  Share how you did it with us.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

A Blessing Bag

I LOVE to give back and today, I wanted to share a tip from ModernParentsMessyKids.

Whether you live in the city or in the suburbs, there are situations that tug at your heart strings especially when we see someone we want to help, but just don’t know how. Maybe it is encountering a homeless person on the street.  Maybe you have been asked for money outright or maybe you have seen them holding a sign sharing their misfortune.  Whatever the situation, you have wanted to help but just weren’t sure, right?

As a recovering addict, I will admit giving money to someone always concerns me.  “There by the grace of God, go I”.  So if I walk by without doing anything, I feel awful.

One of the BIGGEST requests that I have heard from those who are homeless is that they need – Socks.  Think about it –  it’s easy to find food. Shelters and non-profits offer warm meals to anyone that walks in.  Clothes can be gotten as well. But, the homeless don’t use washers and dryers, so a clean pair of socks is a luxury item.

How easy would it be to carry a pair of socks everywhere? Maybe a pair in your purse and a few pairs in the car. 

What if you took it one step further….. Make a Blessing Bag. The items are easy to get and can keep forever in your purse or car. The essential items that we take for granted can lift the spirits of someone living on the street.

Start with a Gallon Size Ziploc Bag.

• It will help to keep everything together & in one place so they can easily access the supplies in their bags/backpacks
• Keeps the items from spilling/leaking in their bags
• The bags can later be used for other storage options within their bags – storing toiletries, snacks, etc

Here are some of the things that you can include:

• Hand-Warmers – especially during the winter, but even on a chilly evening these area a blessing.
• Bag of Quarters – These are nice to include for washing clothes at the laundromat. You can put them in a snack-size Ziploc bag to keep them contained.
• Bottle of Water – Mini water bottles work great
• Band-Aids – are sometimes needed but not something they would be able to spend money on or think about having.
• Baby Wipes – a small pack of baby wipes help with feeling clean & fresh
• Hand Sanitizer – another great option to help them feel cleaner
• Wash Cloth

Toiletries: if you have a lot of items to include, travel-size toiletries work great

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste (travel size if you have a lot of items to put into your bag)
• Floss
• Soap (hotel soaps are great)
• Deodorant
• Shampoo/conditioner (hotel one are the perfect size)
• Comb
• Personal hygiene items for a woman (tampons, pantiliners, pads, etc)
• Sunscreen (depending on time of year)
• Chapstick
• Personal Items: New Socks, New Underwear, Inexpensive gloves
• Non-Perishable Foods: Granola Bars, Energy Bars, Tuna/cracker packs, Trail mix, Raisins, Peanuts, Fruit cup/ applesauce cup (& include a spoon), Gum/hard candy, Hot Cocoa/Spiced Cider Mixes or on-the-go coffee mixes

You can get a FREE printable checklist by clicking HERE

The specific items can be changed, but be sure that any food you use is non-perishable. And remember, food is most likely easy to find, so toiletry items are especially appreciated.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!