Our boxes are
I tried to explain to my children the meaning behind giving these gifts to two very special children. My daughter understands that the gifts she placed inside her shoe box are going to go to a little girl who may not have gotten any presents for Christmas otherwise. I explained to her that we are giving gifts to others because God gave us the greatest gift of all-His Son! I told her we want others to know of His amazing gift as well and that we need to pray for the little girl who is receiving this box, even though we may never know who she is!
My son is only 2, so his understanding of the meaning and the reason behind putting toys in a shoe box for another little boy, is not quite there. However, I explained to him, as I did my daughter, that we are doing this out of our love for Jesus! And even though he wanted to play with the truck that lit up and made noise, it had to be placed inside the box for another little boy to enjoy!
Through this process I thought to myself, "what if I was that mother, on Christmas day, struggling to feed my children, let alone give them a small gift. what a blessing it would be to receive gifts for my children from strangers, all across the world!" It is a humbling act that has taught my children, as well as myself, just how much we truly have to be thankful for.
One thing I really like about Operation Christmas Child is that you can track your shoe box to see when it arrives and where exactly it goes! They also have All About Me sheets that you can download and include in your box for the child receiving it to get to know you a little better. On these sheets is also a spot to place your name and address to become pen pals with the child(ren) receiving your shoe boxes! My prayer is that they will write to us so we can continue to share the love of Jesus with them!
It is not too late to join in and pack a shoe box full of love for a child in need. Collection week runs until the 19th, which is Saturday, so there is still plenty of time! You can find a list of collection sites in your area here!
Praying for God to speak to these children and that their hearts and lives may be changed, through a simple shoe box filled with love!
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Internet Cafe Devotions
When he finished that talk, a Pharisee asked him to dinner. He entered his house and sat right down at the table. The Pharisee was shocked and somewhat offended when he saw that Jesus didn't wash up before the meal. But the Master said to him, "I know you Pharisees burnish the surface of your cups and plates so they sparkle in the sun, but I also know your insides are maggoty with greed and secret evil. Stupid Pharisees! Didn't the One who made the outside also make the inside? Turn both your pockets and your hearts inside out and give generously to the poor; then your lives will be clean, not just your dishes and your hands. ~ Luke 11:41 {the message}
Thanks for sharing! I just hunted up a local drop off point and donated and printed labels for a box for each of our kids to contribute. I think next year we'll get them to donate with their own money--but I'm just glad that we didn't miss out and have a drop off right up the road! Thanks for encouraging!
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