How Our Worst Christmas Ever, Shaped Me Into the Giver I am Today
When I was in Grade 5 we were so broke one Christmas, my Mom could not afford any gifts let alone groceries for our Christmas dinner.
What my mom thought would be the WORST CHRISTMAS EVER, turned out to be the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER! The image of our large dining room table stacked with wrapped Christmas presents will forever remain etched in my memory.
We were the extremely grateful recipients of a family who decided to bless another that Christmas through The Salvation Army. What a blessing it was, they literally made our Christmas! I strongly believe this experience shaped me into the woman I am today.
I learned what true giving really is and that Christmas Miracles really do exist. This family gave what they could, without any expectation of getting anything in return. I learned how an act of kindness really can make such a large impact. I learned that even when things are really rough in life there are strangers willing to extend a helping hand. My mom had to completely humble herself and reach out to the church for help. My mom was also an open book and took no credit for any of it. She took the time to explain that a family took it upon themselves to help out another family that Christmas and purchased all these gifts just for us. I was shocked! We both stood there in tears that day, staring at the table that was filled with gifts from one end to another.
After that Christmas the bank took our house and my moms business. We moved to a small town called Kilbride and rented the apartment above the Kilbride Store. Money was always tight and my mom taught me at an early age how to shop wisely in the grocery stores, look for the produce on clearance and how to stretch the heck out of our meals. I can say that in this day and age... that experience is providing VERY USEFUL!
Looking back I can see how God made all of that possible for us. How even during the toughest of times he was with us. We may have been VERY tight with money, but he ALWAYS PROVIDED. To this day, I don't worry when things get tight, I know, and trust that the Lord will always provide. Perhaps I pick up a new cleaning client, or a gov cheque gets deposited when I need it the most. It's happened way too many times to count. The Lord will provide, you just need to have faith.
We don't always know why we have the hardships in life. We often ask "Why Me Lord, Why me?" trying to figure out why it's happening to us. More often than not, we learn later on down with road "The WHY." That's me my friends! Thats me! Looking back in life and realizing what I went through with the Lord, so I could one day (NOW) give back what was given to me! What a moment it was when God placed this on my heart this year as I hummed and hawed a way to give back. Realizing that not only did he take something bad and use it for his Good once, he was using it for his good again!
How does this all apply to my business today?
I knew I wanted to tithe, I just didn't know to what cause! When I prayed over it, I knew what God wanted. He wanted me to give back the way I received so many years ago. To find a family in need and give them a Christmas to remember. Perhaps the cycle will once again repeat and they will also want to pay it forward.
I also know the Lord will provide the right family in need just like he did when I was a little girl. I even thought it would be a cool Idea to open it up to "The 5:11 community Facebook Group" and have you all submit your nominations for a family in need. How cool would that be! Lord knows, in this day and age there are many families struggling to make ends meet.
10% of our sales will be tithed to families in need
The Lord has blessed me and entrusted me with this business and I leave it all in his hands. I want his will to be done. I just want to be his servant. I want to be a vessel, a means to bring his people closer to HIM. In doing so I have no doubt he will provide me with the finances and the family who deserves his blessings.
Thank you for supporting Muddy Acre Designs. GOD BLESS YOU!
The Lord's faithful love never comes to an end, He never stops being kind to us. Lamentations 3:22