I
wouldn't normally talk about this in a public forum, but this is a story of waiting on the Lord and Him granting us the desires of our hearts. He alone deserves all the glory for this.
Every year, our church participates in something known as
Operation Christmas Child. It is organized by
Samaritan's Purse, and while you can read more about it on their web page, put simply, it is an international effort to put shoe boxes filled with wonderful things for children all across the globe who do not have much and the boxes are presented
along with the Gospel message.
Since having Drew, I have wanted to participate in this each year when the time rolls around. Our MOPS group participates, setting a new goal each year for how many boxes we hope to collect and pray over before they are shipped out. Well, every year, when it's time to participate, our finances have just not allowed for spending the money on the contents for the box. Yes, by now, I've lost you. Most of you are probably doubting that statement, and thinking something like "Well, really. You can't just forgo a few luxuries and put out the few dollars to send this stuff to some child who has way less than you?" I can't blame you for thinking that, because every year, I've felt silly not participating - guilty even. But every year, at this time, we have just not been able to give up $20 - that $20 was either all we had left to buy diapers or a few groceries, or gas. So, every year, I was gravely disappointed that I, someone who lives in the most privileged nation, and is way wealthier than most people in the world, could not participate in this wonderful ministry to children. I was wanting so bad to make it a family tradition with my children.
Fast forward to this year. I intended to take a box, but like in previous years, the money just wasn't there. As in, no money to pull out of the bank. I felt awful - but knowing that Dave and I are working diligently on the plans the Lord has laid before us, by paying cash for everything, not using credit, etc., etc., etc., we learned that being content also includes recognizing when you have given at the level you can, and waiting on the Lord before you give again. I missed the MOPS deadline, and thought I had missed the church deadline. Yesterday at school, Drew's teacher gave him a box to bring home and fill. Honestly, I was a little annoyed. Not with the teacher, at all, but annoyed because now how am I supposed to explain to my son that we can't fill the box? Annoyed only because I wasn't sure how I was going to explain this difficult topic to my four year old.
I was there at dismissal because I had helped with Drew's class for the last hour and he and I were going to have a Drew and Mommy Date. He was redeeming a reward ticket that called for a "Shop Till You Drop" day. My mom was watching B so Drew and I could spend some time together perusing thrift stores, stopping at the grocery for five things, and somehow, I just knew the Lord was going to provide a way for me to allow my son to "Shop" without spending a load of money. I thought I would be creative with which stores we went to and what types of things I could entice him with in order to not spend money on useless stuff that we don't need.
After my brief 2 seconds of annoyance I mentioned earlier, the Lord gave me my answer! I had previously worked it out in my mind that we would not spend more than $30 yesterday on our 'date,' including lunch. After a $6 lunch for both of us, together, we stopped at a thrift store, bought a DVD for Drew (Old Yeller), and then we went to the Dollar Store. What little boy doesn't just love the Dollar Store?! I explained to Drew before going in that we were there to pick out toys, books, and necessary items for a little boy on the other side of the world who doesn't have much. I explained, as best I could in four-year-old speak, the ministry that would take place because of this box. We went in, and Drew had a blast "shopping" like crazy, picking out all sorts of things to put in the shoe box for this little boy. He could not contain his excitement. He never asked for anything for himself (which is hard not to do in the Dollar Store!). We paid, spent $19, and we were on our way. We picked up the few groceries we needed on the way home, and once home, Drew was more than satisfied with his "Shop till you Drop" afternoon, and felt he had been rewarded with an amazing prize, better than he had even imagined it being.
All that to say, in a very long-winded way, that the Lord may have had me wait four years, but He did grant me the desire of my heart to send a box to a very special child somewhere so that he may be blessed by its contents and hear about the love of Jesus Christ. AND, he planted that desire in my son's young heart, as well.
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