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Our GROW Group Gift-Giving Experience
By Paul | February 12, 2008
During the re
cent holiday season, our grow group decided to sponsor a family by getting them a gift for Christmas. We learned that their infant daughter was in Spokane having heart surgery when we decided to sponsor them. I remember thinking, what a terrible thing to have to go through, especially at the Christmas season. We pooled our money together and bought them a new crib and some sheets. For a group our size, this was a gift that was not difficult to raise money for. For me, it just meant giving up a winter round of golf. Privately, I wondered how much of a difference our help was going to make.
We put together the gift at the home of one of the couples in our group. That in itself was such a blessing! To be together, wrapping the gifts and fellowshipping was a great experience. We decided to deliver the gifts in person, and about eight of us made the trip over to Pasco to deliver the presents. God was showing me that there is so much more to giving than the amount. The state of your heart is so important. My heart was getting bigger, and we had not even delivered the gifts yet!
We arrived at the modest duplex to be greeted by a family of six: Mom and dad and four daughters, infant to 20 years old. Looking around their home it was clear they were economically challenged. The eldest daughter spoke English and we chatted with the parents through her. When the parents saw what we brought in, their faces lit up with joy! They told us how they really needed a safe place for their baby to sleep, especially in her frail state. Tears of gratitude spilled from the fathers face as we expressed to him how God asked us to bless his family.
What a pleasure it was to experience what God can do through our resources and time. As I reflect on this adventure, I still feel God’s love deep in my heart from the experience. Come to think of it, I remember it much better than my last round of golf!
–Sam Shick and group
Topics: Inspire |
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