How Less Than $50 Filled My Heart

    Did you know that some actions are voices that are being used in silence?

    A flyer had come home from my daughter’s elementary school. The school district’s food pantry needed breakfast items. I definitely wanted to help and set the flyer in the “to do” pile. A few days went by and some more papers were added to the pile. Then a snow storm came. That led to a trip to the grocery store but I forgot to grab some donations. Driving bans and school closures came and as I was cleaning, I found the flyer. There was a due date and thank goodness school reopened in time for me to still send items in.

    I felt it was a sign from above that I saw the flyer again when I did.

    I made a special trip to the store and spent $16.52. As I was checking out, it made me sad that in 2024, there are still food struggles. But I was happy to make a small contribution, and it felt a little bit of difference was made.

    But it didn’t end there. When I was at home and sent the food off with my daughter on the school bus, my middle-schooler son said that the 8th grade food bin at school had maybe two or three items in it. My heart sank so I emailed the principal, asking what was most needed.

    The next night, I went back to the store and bought soup and more breakfast items. The total was $31.97. It was another feeling of sadness; but I didn’t want that to be the sole reason behind the effort. I thought of how this could bring a bit of happiness to someone, whatever their current struggle might be. How this act was placed in my heart from above.

    So, over the course of a few days, a total of $48.49 hopefully brought a bit of joy or relief to some families. I am not writing this to be all “look at what I did.” I am writing this to encourage you to also help in some way. I can’t say to do something without myself having those same actions. It doesn’t have to be a monetary donation, as there are many other ways to help. But just imagine what could happen if we all put some light into the darkness.

   As always – your voice matters. What silent voice can you adopt this week?



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