Wow, Denise, this is so convicting/inspiring on many levels. We're in the Northeast, currently in a time of fair weather and good conditions. As I've watched what's unfolded in recent days due to Hurricane Helene, I've been so struck by a sense of how crazy it is that in one part of the world all can be well, while in another everything is falling apart. And of course this can also apply on a smaller scale, from circumstances in one home in a neighborhood, to those in another. I wholeheartedly agree with you that while we can't help everyone, we can help someone, and do so with generous hearts.
Thanks for this reminder that we are capable of helping even in the smallest ways -and I feel you on the hand me downs /as a missionary kids that is all we had and my mom would sew kids clothes out of ladies clothes and add ruffles-I don’t think I ever had a new set of clothes until we moved back to Canada from Jamacia -we where the poor and needy helping the poor -but my parents did it with joy and as a kid I just remember adventures and eating mangos off trees and always being barefoot
That is a poignant story. Surely money to a reputable Christian charity is the way to go. I am reminded of women at gym that I used to attend who take their children’s old clothes to Bali every year when they holiday there. Patronising or what ??? 🙀
The charities have to be reputable though.
I never give to the Red Cross or the Salvos any more. When we had the last lot of fires in Australia these two charities held money back and most of the money collected was not given to the people who needed it.
It is a difficult thing to help these days with red tape etc.
Leaving dirty clothes and ugly dinner sets is appalling.
Powerful stories here, with two lines that hit me: "If we are in a season where life is pretty calm and steady, how can we help those who are hurting?" The whole essay turned on me there, in a good way. And "What if that lady had given us, a family with nothing, her new set of dishes instead of her old ones?" Seem to be key ways to help. Also, I've been thinking lately about the dilemma in James between doing and believing. Really appreciate the discussion here--and also the great photos.
My husband and I helped collect donations for mission trips. He always says “junk for Jesus is still junk”.
Wow, Denise, this is so convicting/inspiring on many levels. We're in the Northeast, currently in a time of fair weather and good conditions. As I've watched what's unfolded in recent days due to Hurricane Helene, I've been so struck by a sense of how crazy it is that in one part of the world all can be well, while in another everything is falling apart. And of course this can also apply on a smaller scale, from circumstances in one home in a neighborhood, to those in another. I wholeheartedly agree with you that while we can't help everyone, we can help someone, and do so with generous hearts.
What a wonderful encouragement to be like Jesus in our generosity towards hurting people.
Thanks for this reminder that we are capable of helping even in the smallest ways -and I feel you on the hand me downs /as a missionary kids that is all we had and my mom would sew kids clothes out of ladies clothes and add ruffles-I don’t think I ever had a new set of clothes until we moved back to Canada from Jamacia -we where the poor and needy helping the poor -but my parents did it with joy and as a kid I just remember adventures and eating mangos off trees and always being barefoot
That is a poignant story. Surely money to a reputable Christian charity is the way to go. I am reminded of women at gym that I used to attend who take their children’s old clothes to Bali every year when they holiday there. Patronising or what ??? 🙀
The charities have to be reputable though.
I never give to the Red Cross or the Salvos any more. When we had the last lot of fires in Australia these two charities held money back and most of the money collected was not given to the people who needed it.
It is a difficult thing to help these days with red tape etc.
Leaving dirty clothes and ugly dinner sets is appalling.
Powerful stories here, with two lines that hit me: "If we are in a season where life is pretty calm and steady, how can we help those who are hurting?" The whole essay turned on me there, in a good way. And "What if that lady had given us, a family with nothing, her new set of dishes instead of her old ones?" Seem to be key ways to help. Also, I've been thinking lately about the dilemma in James between doing and believing. Really appreciate the discussion here--and also the great photos.