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So, I am sitting on the plane coming back from The Relevant Conference, where I got the opportunity to reset myself and my priorities. Retreats really give you perspective. I got mine back this weekend, and I am so thankful to the Lord in His gentleness and forgiveness for my journey of rabbit trails lately.
I am ashamed to think how I have neglected to live out the most important part of our mission…Live.Generously. While sitting here thinking on the plane ride home, I decided to get to it now. God tells us not to wait, you never know which day will be your last. You don’t know if you will have tomorrow. I keep putting off opportunities to share ways that you can live generously in your life and I won’t put it off another day. Can you tell I feel a little convicted?
With that, I am so excited to introduce you to an opportunity with an organization you probably already know about — Operation Christmas Child. While at the conference, I watched a video that has given me a drive and passion to tell others about this opportunity. An opportunity in which so many of us can easily participate to give to others. And these others are children.
My favorite part about Operation Christmas Child is that they reach children where they are and take that opportunity to share Jesus with them. They get a box and a lesson book to learn about their Savior. It isn’t just about getting presents, it is about receiving the Ultimate Present, Jesus, our Savior.
I want to ask you to take 3 minutes to watch the video below. I believe just watching it will excite you and instill in you an urgency to do something now.
It is so easy.
Just fill a box and drop it off.
Now that you have seen the video, what will you do to make a difference? Honestly, it doesn’t take much, just pack a box, $7 postage and a little shopping in your deals closet.
:: Checkout your local drop off locations and then you can even track your package and see what country received it.
Check back next week, I am going to have a “Shoebox Filling Party” with my small group at church and our kids. I will be vlogging about it in hopes of sharing ideas and birthing inspiration in you. Samaritans Purse has a whole list of ideas for filling the shoeboxes, check them out. I am sure you have some ideas, so please share them below.
If you have ever filled a box, delivered a box or wanted to, please tell us about it, leave a comment below. Share this with your friends; get your kids involved, this could be their first taste of ministry and what it means to serve.
This is a fantastic thing to do with your kids. My kids love to pick out just the right things to put in each of their boxes. The extra markers, pencils, etc. that you can pick up for pennies at back to school time are true treasures in these boxes.
I’m glad you are sharing this here, and I hope that there’s a HUGE response from all your readers.
I’m excited that you’re doing the shoe boxes here in TN! This was a very big thing at my church in MI and our church was a collection site! Tons of boxes everywhere. It hasn’t seemed to be very big here in TN! I love Samaritan’s Purse! Glad that you’re partnering with them.
We have been doing Xmas child boxes for years. The kids are very involved. To make it easier for the kids to give we have several ideas. The kids chose to do a box, and for what age. They use their money to purchase items, then we give back 50%. I buy the “boring” items: soap, comb, toothbrushes, crayons and pencils. They are very generous in chosing items that will be appropriate and fun. We deliver to a local drop off spot. Great idea. We are in southern middle TN and it is pretty big here. Lifeway sponsors a day to pick up boxes, but we always miss it. Give it a try.
Our school has the middle school Bible students fill boxes each year. The 8th grade students go to the site and pack the boxes as a mission opportunity. They enjoy getting to serve others as this is part of our mission statement.
I have been filling a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child every year for the past several years. I try to buy things throughout the year on sale so I can fill the box with lots of great things. One change I will be doing this year is adding a personal note to the box. One testimonial I saw said this makes such a difference to the children when they open the box.
My kids and I packed our boxes yesterday! A favorite item we included this year was soap we got from the resort on our Disney vacation. It, of course, has Mickey on it–more fun, and still practical (and free!). We try to do a mix of practical (toothbrushes, school supplies, etc.) and fun (toys and candy!). My 7-yr-old wrote a note for her box, and my 4-yr-old drew a picture and signed her name.