A way to give

This is Estero Community Park and right now it is being used as a shelter to house many people from Bonita Springs that have been displaced from their homes, due to flooding from T.S Fay.  One more reason to pray that Gustav stays far away from Florida.!

You can read a more in-depth story of the shelters and the displaced from  this article

I woke up this morning and talked to the boys over the breakfast table about how we need to look for more opportunities to be kind to other people.  After this dialogue (ok monologue)  I thought, " i wonder if they are too young to grasp this concept?"  But as we were driving home from the YMCA the radio host explained how the Estero Community Center could use donations of diapers and food  for all the people that it is hosting right now.  SO.... God prompted me to remember the 3 bags of diapers and pull-ups in my closet that are being stashed away because they are too big for Owen and too small for Caeden.  

I thought ok, here is a chance to teach the boys about how  we can be kind and giving when other people are in need.  So we dropped off the diapers at the Salvation Army truck that was outside the center.  As I was walking away ,  I saw someone else walking up with a cart load full of crackers and chips and cookies, and i realized my 3 bags of diapers wasn't all that much to be proud of.  Thankfully the Lord doesn't judge us like that, but it did put my pride of doing a good deed into perspective

As Christians, we are called to be generous givers and to help the least of these, ashamedly, i admit it is a rare thing for me to step out and give as soon as the need is mentioned.  I am thankful that God allowed us to be used today, how small it may be, and am thankful that he is providing opportunities for our family to step outside of our four walls and be kind and of service to those in need.  I am praying for those opportunities because my children need to learn that Life is about glorifying Christ and not about pleasing self. How else will they learn that, unless they see it lived in our lives?  

Caeden did ask a ton of questions today about why we are giving our diapers away, and why those people can't live in a house, and where the water came from, and if we still have diapers left for Owen.  I pray that these conversations will continue and that glory will always be pointed to Christ alone.  

Luke 12:48 "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."

I guess i am learning more from my reading of Conspiracy of Kindness than i have realized.  My eyes are being opened to searching for the need that is out there and to not be afraid to get involved.

Also if you are in the area, they are still in need of donations!