Who is doing the receiving?

Our church is doing the neatest thing this Sunday. About a month ago our preacher introduced us to the "Fill a Sack" campaign. Each family was asked to take a list of groceries and fill a paper sack to be given to a needy family or person in our community. On Sunday morning, all the sacks will be brought to church and placed at the front of the auditorium. That evening we will meet together again and divide up the sacks to deliver to needy families.

The best part of the entire "campaign" has been the support of our community. Last night at the grocery store I saw several people (not members of our congregation) with "the list" and buying groceries to feed the needy. I heard two ladies talking and were so excited to help out. At school this morning several teachers were talking about it and were very impressed with the idea and wanted to know if they could donate.

We are blessed to worship at a congregation that encourages us to always serve. Our preacher and elders always challenge us to give when it is not easy. What is even better is the impression we continually give to our community. Just by service others are introduced to Jesus. So many times when we serve we feel great for helping and think that those receiving the "gift" are the fortunate ones; however, we that serve are the ones that receive!

Just proud!

Last night I was so proud of my son because he showed character far beyond anyone around him and smiled at himself for what he had done. I wanted to write about it so badly but for whatever reason, I could not get on the Internet. I tried earlier today but the words just would not come. I just read a friends blog about her son's dedication to achieving his dreams and how proud she is of her son. She is a blessed woman with beautiful children and she inspired me to write about Garrett and let you know what a great young man he has become.

I won't go into details but yesterday Garrett helped with the annual ag day hosted by his dad and the Ag Committee. Garrett arrived earlier than any other teen helper. He unloaded heavy boxes of materials. He set up displays. He taught every group that came through his station. He interacted with every kid there and did a great job teaching. He was the ONLY teen helper to clean up. He helped load things for every adult presenter. He unloaded a full pickup of things into his dad's office. He picked up the 4-H display at the museum. He did it all!

Now, this is not about how much he did. It is about the character he showed during all this. Garrett did not complain about the work. He did not sit in a chair and gripe about being tired. He did not resent being the "County Agent's Son". He is always the first to arrive and the last to leave. He is always the one to set up and the one to clean up. In the past, he has done his fair share of whining and letting everyone know how put out he was. But, not yesterday. He worked hard and at the end of the day when he was laying on the couch he said, "You know, today was good. I am tired and my feet are killing me but I think I did a good job." He grinned a little and I told him how proud we were of the person he has become. He grinned a little more. It is just a blessed feeling to know he was justifiedly proud of himself!