The Chester County High School puts up an Angel Tree each year, which holds the wishes and hopes and needs of many of our Chester County residents. There are individual children as well as entire families represented on this tree.
This year, the number of requests were higher than in previous years, so the coordinator sent a request out to all of the teachers in the county. In a two day period of time, all 287 angels and Santas (angels are individuals, Santas are families) were claimed. It is wonderful to see the generosity of our town, especially when times are hard for all.
In church this morning, our first reading seemed especially appropriate to these requests:
From 2 Corinthians 9:6-9---Remember this--whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And 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. As it is written: "They have scattered abroad their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever."
Our church and Sunday School classes are sponsoring a family in need this year, and I had tears in my eyes when I looked at the donations I have already been given to help this family. The generosity and loving spirit of my friends just overwhelms me.
As Thanksgiving approaches us this week, please take a moment to reflect on the blessings you have in your life, find the joy in what you have and share yourself with others.
1 comment:
I think that when we need to tighten our belts, we become more aware of how much we all rely on the generosity of each other which makes it easier to give.
Holding a bucket to collect donations for BCEFA at a matinee of The Little Mermaid, I was touched to see kids of a school trip pull dollars out of their pockets to drop in the buckets. I imagine this was money they either saved themselves or their parents gave them to spend on this special trip to a Broadway show; it was heartening to watch them donate their money rather than spend it on trinkets or candy.
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