It has been on my heart lately the last few weeks, that with all the things we are selling on CL, it would be nice to be able to give things away-besides all the items that we end up donating to Turnstyles every few months. So much has been given to us, with the 2 anonymous gifts, as well as a friend of mine gave me a dozen new and almost new Ann Taylor Loft/Banana Republic clothes, that I wasn't expecting or asked for. We have been so blessed, that I decided that I wanted to bless individuals as well-with practically brand new items.
The first item I gave away was a men's winter coat that I bought from Target less than 2 years old, that was in perfect condition. I posted an ad on CL, and it said, free men's coat to someone in need. I asked for the person to share their story with me, and to also let it go to someone who had a true need, that couldn't otherwise afford to go out and buy one, not just someone who wanted a free coat. This is the reply that I received,
"don't really have a story, but i believe jesus died for me and i'm his child." This man called, and I talked to him, and he was going to drive down on a cold rainy night, and I asked him where he lived, and he said NKC, and I said "my husband works up there, how about I save you a trip, and he can meet you up there with the coat." This man was so grateful. So my husband arranged a time to meet him, actually on his way home from KC. He told me that the man said,
"I've been cold for 3 weeks." I cried when he told me this. We take forgranted with all that we have, how little other people in our KC area have. This man can now stay warm through the winter.
The second item that I gave away was a beautiful Christmas dress that was also less than 2 years old from Kohl's. I posted the same thing-please let this go to someone in true need, and share your story, so I can try and find the right home for this dress. Here are the responses that I received:
"This dress is beautiful. I am a mom of 4 girls ages 11, 9, and twins that are 3 1/2 yrs old. I am only able to work part time because of the twins (I can't afford child care). My husband makes ok money but extras like that dress are something we just cannot afford, especially when I am trying to come up with christmas presents. The twins are in childrens choir at church this year and they always have a christmas concert. I'd love for one of my girls to wear that dress. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Even if we don't receive the dress you are doing a wonderful thing." (Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile)
"I don’t like telling my story to people but if that is what you need to see if I can get the dress so be it. My husband lost his job July 4th. I am the only income with a family of 6. Myself, husband, 3 boys and a girl. The boys for the most part have clothes I always have to buy new for my daughter. I am looking for a dress for her. I work 2 jobs and go to school. My husband is my daycare provider right now because no jobs he has looked at will pay enough for us to get a daycare. We have tried to get help with daycare but are told since an adult it there we are not eligiable for assistance for daycare help. We are a very proud family and if I have never told you this story you would probably have not know this about us if you met us out somewhere. I try to make sure my kids are always clean, fed and look presentable. My husband has been trying but I told him not to bother right now due to I may have to change my jobs to a different shift due to school and then he could start up then. That is my story in a nut shell."
"I'm sure you've had a big response from your generous offer, but if the dress is still unclaimed, I have a 5-year-old daughter who would love to have it. Please let me know. "
"You might try contacting a church or the school. They usually know of some family that truly needs help. I was on a school board and we always had list of families that needed extra help.
I think it is great you are trying to help a little girl feel like a princess for Christmas!
God Bless You."
"I saw the dress you have on craigslist it is very cute. I have a daughter that is 5 years old. I also have two boys 9 and 2. We are not a poor family but we are on a budget. My husband works and I stay home with the kids. Its nice to be able to put the kids in nice things for the Holidays. But not always easy to spend 30.00 on an outfit that is only used for one day. If you have any other dresses that are that size I would love to have them. We go to church and she is steadly growing out of her church clothes! :) If you get someone that is in more need then me please go with that person."
"We are a displaced family currently forced to live in a motel, which is being paid for by a church. Here is what happened: We both got laid off from our jobs, which caused us to fall behind on our rent and utilities. Because our landlord refused to repair the central air, all of our a/c was being sent into the storm cellar, which is where he was storing his trash. Not only did we have a light bill in the neighborhood of $800, but that was along with our rent which was $800. We were then evicted, as it was impossible for us to afford $1600 per month, along with spending about $150 per week in gas. We found someone on CL that were willing to offer us a place to stay. So we moved into a basement/garage with our five kids. The wife, we found out, was abusive to us and our children.....During this time, we contacted the police, and had only a short time to move out. As we moved out, she went through all of our kids' stuff, taking what she wanted for her kids, who are no longer with her because of the abuse. While we were staying with her, our van engine siezed, threw a rod, and then the oil pan broke in half allowing a jet of flame to shoot down from the motor. I understand the whole "no-show" situation, but we are in need, as we have no real home, no car, and we're still trying to find work. If you could find it in your heart to bring it to us, you would make our little girl's day, as she loves to wear dresses, but doesn't have any. We'd be happy to introduce you to our kids, if you could bring it here. Thank you for your time and consideration. God bless."
While I know it's hard for someone to pour their heart out to a complete stranger, it makes it easier to see the true need in their circumstances. The woman in story #2 received the dress and she was so grateful! The very last story broke my heart, but I couldn't put my safety on the line to deliver an item to a stranger at a hotel room. Please believe me, I'm not trying to make light of their circumstances, because some of them are so hard to hear. It was nice hearing from other people who sent in their stories, wishing it to go to someone that was in more need than they were. Hearing their stories, it's easy to discern a real immediate need, vs a want or need. Like the woman who sent the e-mail through her blackberry phone. I don't have a problem with someone owning that phone, but if you are in true need financially and are trying to provide, one of the 1st things to go for me, would be all the extra things, like having a blackberry.
I think so often that we get wrapped up in, "I need, or I want", only to fill up our lives with so much stuff, that we don't even notice when it's gone. How many coats or pairs of shoes do we or our children need, when there are some people who don't have any? How many toys do our kids really need, and are they really going to play with every single one? How much clothes does our family really need, and are we ever going to wear every single cute outfit, or piece of jewelry? Or could I donate or sell those things, and give money to charity to help people in true need?
We've sold so much stuff on CL to get by, that I honestly don't even miss those items. Even the things we donated. My kids used to have closets packed full of toys from the grandparents, and inexpensive things from the thrift stores. I would have friends say, wow they have a lot of stuff. At first I didn't think much of it, but then God started working on my heart, through stories of people in immediate need, and suddenly it wasn't a priority. There are so many more children out there in need in this community that have benefited from others donations-maybe their future Christmas gift is out there in one of your homes. We are a simple family, and not one to generally splurge on brand new items, mainly due to being a one income family. So it's not like we have all that much to begin with, but I still feel like God calling me to give more of it away. Getting rid of all the extra things, getting rid of the clutter, and simplifying. My way of thinking is that we're not going to be here forever, and while we're on earth, there are so many more people in need that have nothing. Why not share that with someone now? With less stuff, it leaves more time to focus on God and his plan for our lives.
I was so excited when my pastor spoke yesterday on this very thing! Talking about how we need a reality check...
Luke 12:15-"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist of his possessions."
Luke 12:33- "Sell your possessions and give to the poor...."
1 John 3:17-20 "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presense whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything."
So my challenge is to you, my friends is to just pick one nice thing that you have, or that your kids have, and give it away to someone in the community who is truly in need, and help them see God's love through you, in giving something out of the kindness of your heart. If you're not comfortable with that, then I encourage you to donate to charity, or to help someone out this Holiday season. There are so many groups in need-Samaritan's Purse has an awesome catalog you can donate all types of things that are life changing to someone in extreme poverty; City Union Mission; Harversters; Salvation Army...
There is just something about giving, that is freeing to the soul...
More than anything, just to take the time to examine your hearts and hear the cries of the people in need in our city (You'd be suprised to find out that there are homeless people in JOCO) To share God's love with them through an act of kindness. Who knows how God will change your heart in the process...
