Celebrate the opportunities God has brought forth...
"When getting gas Sunday, after snowy and icy weather. I saw a young lady at the gas station close to tears trying to open the gate of her gas tank. It was frozen shut. She was frustrated and I asked if I could help. She went into the car and flipped the switch while I banged on the device to break away the ice. Between the two of us we got the gas into her car. I simply said "God Bless you and Merry Christmas. She had a BIG smile on her face, which was my blessing."
"After Pastor's November 29th message, God put my neighbor on my heart. He encouraged me to do the 25 days of Christmas anonymously. Each morning since December 1st, I walk over to her house while it's still dark and put scripture and a small gift or token (something to do with the scripture) in the bush next to her garage. December 12 she called to find out if it was me; I could not tell a lie. She said it gave her something to look forward to each morning. (Her husband died last year so has been overwrought with emotion since then.) I am continuing the daily scripture and gift even though she knows it is me. I am praying that the scripture, stories and commitment of caring that I am showing will change her heart and point to Jesus as Lord and Savior. I am planning on writing out my testimony for the last day."
"Helped a new person at work do some of their work and showed them some tips to help."
"This has been an exciting week of unexpected outreaches. We had a neighbor that has been very ill for awhile. Sent her flowers and prayers to cheer her. Made banana muffins and gave them to several shut-ins with a Christmas tract. Received a phone call from a shut-in that we just visited and said how wonderful it was that someone remembered her. Remembered to send a birthday card to a friend that has a Christmas birthday. She also has been ill for months with an unknown disease. But only wants cards or texts. Very shut -in. If you look around, there are people everywhere that need a smile, kind word, a card, a phone call or even a hug (if allowed)."
"A friend is going through a very difficult divorce. She's been overwhelmed and during this Covid time has not been receiving the spiritual nourishment needed from her church. I treated her to a pedicure, we talked and prayed together."
"We leave a cooler with individual treats and Coke on our door step for those who deliver our packages all month long! It’s an opportunity to wish them Merry Christmas and thank them for delivering our many Christmas packages! ( Garbage men and our regular mail carriers are included!). It’s a tradition we started a few years ago!!! It’s fun to watch their reaction!🎄"
"We made Pear Jam and added a seasonal notepad with a note of encouragement that we dropped by our daughter-in-law's parents (her dad has been recovering from cancer surgery) and had a driveway visit with them. We then did the same for our son-in-law's parents and invited them to our Thanksgiving dinner/gathering. Both families have since called and wrote a note of how it encouraged them to be thought of and have a quick visit."
"Bought gifts for a 14 year old boy."
"We bought flowers from a florist for 3 of our neighbors. We put a Christmas card with it that said, "You are loved with an everlasting love." -Jeremiah 31:3 God loved you so much that He sent His only Son to die for you because He wants you to be with Him in heaven. -John 3:16. We hand delivered them and wish them a Merry Christmas. One of our neighbors had been in the hospital and was very, very sick. The hospital stay changed her and her family's earthly lives from now on. They are believers. We also gave them a Visa gift certificate."
"I put a small bag with fruit, nuts and chocolates for a newer neighbor. I also included my Christmas letter and a tract talking about Jesus. She later texted back and thanked me for the bag of goodies and would love to get together sometime."
"Picked a girl from the caring tree and gave her gifts so she would have a wonderful Christmas."
"I had a prompting by the Holy Spirit to visit a friend that recently had her kitchen remodeled. She had invited me many times, but today seemed like the best time. I did not know that she is isolating herself because of a recent illness. She does not want to contract Covid which would put her in a much more serious situation. So we cried together, prayed together, laughed and I listened. Planning to keep track of her and the situation daily. So many hurting people out there, if we only keep our eyes open to the situations, and take an opportunity to do something. Even if it is Just make a call to encourage them."
"Sunday evening a friend and I went out for coffee and a cup of soup to a social distancing cafe. We had a server that was home from college earning money over the holidays. He had a t-shirt that said" Faith can move mountains". We asked him what he had faith in. He said he had faith in God and had wandered away from Jesus in college. (the fact that he confessed that was amazing) We stated that if he confessed that Sin to Jesus, Jesus would forgive him. As the young man draws near to Jesus , Jesus would draw near to him again. Jesus Loves You we said. We gave him scripture to read to reassure him. He wrote the scripture all down eagerly. Pray these seeds will grow in this young man's heart and God will give him faith to grow in a deeper relationship with Him again. An unexpected blessing for all involved......................."
"I have wonderful neighbors, who will go to any lengths to help me. They are always so busy helping others. This week I asked the wife if she could stop by on her way home. I had prepared a dinner meal for them. She was so happy, as she didn't have time to prepare a meal. The look on her face was priceless! They both enjoyed the meal, and I in return was so happy to do something for them. It eased their burden for the evening, and were able to just sit back and enjoy a home cooked meal! It's those little unexpected things that mean so much!"
"Cleaned the houses of both my niece and sister. My niece recently had a set of twins and she now has four kids under the age of 6. I help her out on a weekly basis. My sister has some back problems and I helped her clean in her house."
"Sent card to family of woman from Facebook group. The woman is having cancer surgery and because of COVID her family can't be with her. She asked that cards be sent to her family to encourage them and lift them up."
"While she grieves the loss of her husband I paid my neighbor's house to be cleaned, gave her a free facial, am available whenever she needs me for walks or talks, and I also recently took her to a craft class and made a "zen rain chain" with her for our outside gutters."
"Gave a Christmas gift to our neighbor."
"Parkview school received gifts for each staff member (52 recipients). The staff was amazed and wanted to thank all of you for the gift & thoughtfulness."
"Gave a Christmas gift to our next door neighbor."
"Today I visited a neighbor that I have shared Jesus with for years. She is following Buddhist rituals, but still is open to hearing about Jesus. She gave me a Christmas gift of homemade jam. So glad God is keeping the door open for conservations between us."
"My husband and I had quite a week. We had 2 friends that had family members pass away and were very upset at the fact they could NOT visit them in the hospice before passing. We went to visit each friend - prayed with them, cried with them and just listened. Another friend's husband had a stroke and she also had to leave her husband in the hospital alone. We also sat with her, prayed, cried and listened. We call these friends daily to see how they are feeling and getting alone. We have been so blessed by a farmer that gives us fresh eggs. So my husband, knowing the cost of feed, sent that farmer a gift card to the feed mill where he gets his chicken feed. This will help to defray some of the cost of raising his chickens."
"Gave her a devotional book and a handmade bookmark with Bible verses on it."
"Last week, going to my scheduled chiropractic visit, I had the unexpected opportunity to share the salvation message with my doctor. I expressed that I Love Christmas . He replied, " Christmas is for kids." We had a short conversation, but at this time I'm writing him a Christmas letter about the True meaning of Christmas. Pray for an open heart to receive the message."
"Happened to meet an unsaved friend at breakfast today. Paid for his breakfast and had a wonderful time listening and talking about Christmas and church activities."
"Picked a boy from the caring tree and gave him gifts so he could have some gifts this Christmas."
Thinking back over 2020, I remember back to February. A new lady came into the church and I greeted her and sat with her. A very depressed soul that was shut-in because of a disability. She was negative and had a nasty attitude. I sent her cards/texts of encouragement, invited her places, dropped surprises at her trailer and soon our friendship grew into Trust. This took months as the Covid 19 developed over the summer months, she wanted to get into a Bible study. She did not feel comfortable in a group, so I suggested I lead a Bible study in her home. To my Surprise she said "YES".. The first study she had already invited her daughter. Over the weeks of study both came to accept Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives. "PTL" They are both growing in their faith and desire to learn more and more about Jesus. They are sharing their faith with others, such a blessing. So 2020 in my remembrance was a year of "joy" seeing people come out of their fear and hopelessness to find Jesus as Savior, Lord and best friend.
Tipped 10x what my drink cost at the coffee shop. When going through the line at the coffee shop, the day after leaving that tip, had my drink paid for by the car in front of me, so I did the same for the car behind me.