God has a Plan

This morning I stopped by Publix, like I do many mornings, to pick up some things for Archbishop. The air condition was on and it was pretty cold in there which reminded me I am often cold at St George Village (where ABD lives) so I bought some tea bags and honey. Upon arriving at St George, I put the things I bought for ABD in his room and made myself a cup of hot tea. Yummy! I asked my friend Abbi (who is the activities director for the people in Memory Loss at St George Village) if she would like a cup of tea, and she did. She then went on to tell me about her morning. She overslept, hurried out the house and wasn't able to get herself any breakfast or her usual morning cup of hot tea. It isn't THAT big of deal but without her morning cup of caffeine, she would have a headache until she could get some in her system. Trust me, I know the feeling!! Now, It isn't a huge deal but how funny on the same day she couldn't get tea, I happen to bring some.

Although the tea example is so small, it got me thinking about how God works in our lives. He often works through other people but we are so focused on ourselves that we miss Him talking to us. AND, He often works through US to other people but sometimes we fail to convey the message because we are scared. Have you ever had a weird feeling that you were supposed to do something out of the ordinary? One time I kept getting this feeling that I was supposed to buy my neighbor a gas gift card so after trying to dismiss the weird request in my mind a few times, I finally gave in. Little did I know she had been praying and praying for God to somehow send her some gas money so she could go see her brother who was going through Chemo in New Jersey. The thing is that we only see one small part of the plan while God sees the whole blueprint. Big or small, God is calling us to give of our self everyday to someone in need and because He is faithful, He sends someone to help us when we are in need.

So what can you do, you ask? Well, let me tell you!! Last year, my neighbor (yes the same one I gave the gas card to) needed some help watching her 13 year old son in the morning before school. He is deaf, partly blind, and autistic (among some other things). She is a single mother and asked several people to help her and everyone else flat out told her they were uncomfortable being around her son. Trust me, it was their loss!! Without a doubt in my mind I accepted her plea to help and it became one of the best things I ever did. Over last year I got to know her and her 2 kids better. I learned so much about her and developed a friendship! One thing that really struck me was how much she sacrifices for her kids. She moved here from Haiti to give her kids a better life. She worked as a pre-k teacher and didn't have a lot of money. Even through her struggles she would tell me "God always provides". Last year, with the help of so many, she was able to have the best Christmas ever! Not because so many people donated presents and gift cards but because of the LOVE that was poured out through all those gifts. Well this year things are even harder for her. She lost her job with all the changes of the pre-k program last year and is still looking for something. I know it is only the end of August but December will be here before you know it and I know she is already stressing out about Christmas. That is where I need your help!! Would you be willing to donate a gift card to help her?? Is this what God is calling you to do?

I am going to collect gift cards for her and put them all together on a "gift card tree" for her and her kids. Any amount would be awesome but please pray about what you can give!! She is mostly in need of Wal Mart, Publix, Visa, American Express, or restaurant cards (to give her a break from cooking)! Of course any other options are welcome but these are the ones she is most in need of! I would ask that you don't sign the gift cards as I am going to put it together and send it from an anonymous P.O. Box. Thank you in advance for your generosity!!

God sees the blueprint, we only see a small part of the plan. But together, by helping each other, we can be a part of His master plan!! Thanks for helping!!!