Community Chat

[jeanlake]

Heartbreaking topic and I know I answered snarkily in a post about wealthiest people in each state because I know they aren't going hungry.... quite the opposite. I used to be more generous but this year has been so weird I got lazy. I began feeling convicted in summer, though. Now when I grocery shop, I buy extra for a young, single parent family I know. I randomly text and say I'm at the grocery store or getting ready to place an online grocery order. They humbly give me basics and I fill in the gaps. When I drop by their house with sacks of groceries, the kids are so excited waiting by the front door. You'd think I was Santa Clause. I wipe a few tears on the drive home. This year has helped me think more of others as I know lonely people, people suffering personal loss and those who lost jobs and are getting ready to lose benefits - health and unemployment. Hubs bought me an ebike for holidays. I have a nice, hybrid specialty bike we were going to sell. Then I thought - no - we know a family who just adopted their 5 foster sisters to keep them together. The bike is going to be dropped off there. Hubs' parents gave us their Honda Pilot vehicle - under 100K miles. First thought -- sell it. Wait -- we know this family who could use a bigger vehicle. We told them to sell their car and we'll gift the nicer Honda vehicle to them. You'd think they won the lottery. I'm trying to train my heart and mind to function this way again. I got lazy. My extras can easily become someone's basics. Win/win - is anyone else having these convictions?      

[goldensrbest]

But , here in new england ,homes are selling like hot cakes, and people are driving new expensive cars,and there are jobs,  sometimes i just don't know what to think about are country.

[goldensrbest]

@jeanlake  Bless your big heart.

[Cakers3]

Everthing has a return.

Everything.

Whether we do good or we do bad.

Sometimes we do not even know how good a return we have received-because when it comes from the heart without expectation, we do not just not expect it but we don't equate it with something good we have done.

That is the spirit of being human.

[SilleeMee]

Thank you @Mindy D . I'll check out that podcast. 

[Porcelain]

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@jeanlake wrote:

Heartbreaking topic and I know I answered snarkily in a post about wealthiest people in each state because I know they aren't going hungry.... quite the opposite. I used to be more generous but this year has been so weird I got lazy. I began feeling convicted in summer, though. Now when I grocery shop, I buy extra for a young, single parent family I know. I randomly text and say I'm at the grocery store or getting ready to place an online grocery order. They humbly give me basics and I fill in the gaps. When I drop by their house with sacks of groceries, the kids are so excited waiting by the front door. You'd think I was Santa Clause. I wipe a few tears on the drive home. This year has helped me think more of others as I know lonely people, people suffering personal loss and those who lost jobs and are getting ready to lose benefits - health and unemployment. Hubs bought me an ebike for holidays. I have a nice, hybrid specialty bike we were going to sell. Then I thought - no - we know a family who just adopted their 5 foster sisters to keep them together. The bike is going to be dropped off there. Hubs' parents gave us their Honda Pilot vehicle - under 100K miles. First thought -- sell it. Wait -- we know this family who could use a bigger vehicle. We told them to sell their car and we'll gift the nicer Honda vehicle to them. You'd think they won the lottery. I'm trying to train my heart and mind to function this way again. I got lazy. My extras can easily become someone's basics. Win/win - is anyone else having these convictions?      

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You are putting your money where your mouth is. Brava.

I'm doing my part too, but on a much smaller scale. You are an excellent example to live up to. Creative about it too! (And I know you are not saying this to get kudos, which makes it all the more worthy of them.)

[jeanlake]

@Porcelain Thank you for kind words. I used to be better at this then I backed off a bit. 2020. Ugh. But if I can manage my world thinking -- something I consider extra could be someone's basic -- I think I can help. 

[lovesrecess]

So many asking for help now are doing it for the first time in their lives...which is a sobering thought to me. Those who are concerned about using a credit card or check can donate food directly to their local food bank...many have collection boxes in convenient locations or you can deliver it directly. You can call or check their website to see what they currently need.

[Cakers3]

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@lovesrecess wrote:
So many asking for help now are doing it for the first time in their lives...which is a sobering thought to me. Those who are concerned about using a credit card or check can donate food directly to their local food bank...many have collection boxes in convenient locations or you can deliver it directly. You can call or check their website to see what they currently need.

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@lovesrecessEven my physical therapy clinic had a box for food donations for Thanksgiving.  I ended therapy Thanksgiving week so I don't know about Christmas but knowing the folks there-I would bet another box has been set out for December.

Our WF has always had a bin for donations throughout the year but I noticed extra ones lately.

[september]

So sad, but true.  Have made a Christmas donation to one local charity.   Will think of doing another