"Thank You for making our Christmas a better one and all the times you have helped me..."

       Only two days before Christmas and a distraught new mother left a message of despair on our phone. She had recently given birth to a baby boy and had nothing for him or his other siblings under a "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree. We phoned her back and found out that she had contacted other agencies and was too late to receive any toys or help with gifts for her children.  She was in need of basic baby supplies and some food for Christmas. It was getting late, but we would call her in the morning. Yes, we were busy preparing for last minute Christmas plans and family arriving to spend the holiday with us.

       By morning, we prayed and the other kids agreed that we could still get everything done and go where there is a need. Half of our team went shopping; the other half wrapped and baked. By late morning, we had everything packed and ready to deliver to this young mother. Our daughter Isabella volunteered to ride along and bless this family with a little Christmas cheer. We drove for a while and met at a halfway point off the highway. To our surprise, she brought the newborn baby for us to view and delight in. "Oh, he is precious." Sound asleep. It was too cold to take him out of his safety seat. Another time we will get to hold him. We then began placing some gifts in her car for under the Christmas tree for her children to enjoy on Christmas morning. With tears in her eyes she thanked us. She told us she had nothing to give them as she had to take off work when she had the baby and lives paycheck to paycheck. "But praise the Lord, at least you have job." She smiled. We gave her a gift card and some baby supplies. She hugged us and we watched her drive off. 

       It was a good feeling to be able to help someone in need who thought there was no hope this Christmas. It is not so much a hand out as it is a hand up. And in doing so they see and feel the love of Jesus at this special time of year. God asks only that we drop whatever we're so busy doing to accept one loving gesture. All it takes is a willingness to let another hand take ours.
       "The only gift is a portion of thyself."- Ralph Waldo Emerson
       Be encouraged ~Angela