Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 3:10-13
Many people believe that the star is symbolic of a miraculous sign. Others think the star symbolizes the star of Bethlehem, which according to the Christmas story, guided the three wise men, to the baby Jesus. The star is also bears the sign of the shining hope for humanity. Imagine the illumination of this star. How bright does your light shine in your journey in humanity?
For many of us, the day after Thanksgiving is the beginning of the Christmas and Advent season. The decorations go up, the Christmas trees are bought, and the shopping begins. Christmas carols are blaring through every mall speaker and radio station. The smell of pine, ginger, and hazelnut, and cinnamon is the fragrance in most households. Tis’ the season.
A friend asked an interesting question recently, “If this is the holiday when we are celebrating the birth of Christ, then why are we giving each other presents?” Such a good question. Not an easy answer. As I am thinking about this question, I make a visit to see my mother.
Visiting my mother always brings laughter because she says whatever is on her mind. Without a filter, she has no qualms sharing what she thinks or how she feels. During my visits, I am aware of other residents’ conversations, behavior, and visitors (or lack of visitors). These visitations created the spark of how the Lord could be glorified when we put others before ourselves. The birth of Operation Toiletry Bags.
After speaking with the supervisor and office manager, the needs of the residents was revealed. The idea of Toiletry Bags was generated among friends.
With the help from a phenomenal group of women, the ladies and gentlemen of this assisted living home received every possible item from toothbrushes to socks. When I think about how a community of women came together for the good of others, I am reminded of Acts 20:35, “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Amen.
We don’t always get to see or experience the thankfulness of our hard work, but we can leave with the knowing satisfaction of brightening another person’s life. When the bags were delivered, there were several memorable moments:
(1) When the packages were delivered, my mother stood up from her arm chair and asked if all of these gifts were for her. She then gave directives that “we”and the packages were to report to her room. It took a bit of explaining that all of the packages did not belong to her.
(2) One of the residents, an older gentleman, walked up to say “thank you.” He recalled every item that was in the bag. His sincere appreciation was heart-warming.
(3) On Christmas Day, my mother’s neighbor, sat in the lobby in a new pair of donated socks. She was so proudly showing them off as she waited for her family.
Blessed.
This is the only word to describe this entire undertaking. For every person who gave so selflessly and sacrificially, they have and will receive abundantly. 2 Corithians 9:8 states that “God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” The biblical “Star of Bethlehem” symbolized that the Lord was among us and according to the book of Matthew, provided light for the wise men.
The star continues to shines brightly because of the spirit of generosity among a community of women. Your challenge is to make a star shine brightly for someone because the award in abundance is far greater than you can ever imagine!
Merry Christmas and God Bless!
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