Small Action Stories 3

Anonymous gifts. Have you ever gotten one? You are going about your day and a package shows up with your name on it. No return name or address.

I know that my family has been on the receiving end of several of these gifts. They have ranged from gift cards, money (when we needed it most), a saddle, and a car (I kid you not). All these have been totally God things. The timing, the gift, and the amount, have always been perfect. It must be a God thing.

We have all probably heard stories about anonymous gifts. These are always fun stories to share and to be a part of.

But today I want to challenge you to go beyond hearing about these stories. Do something anonymously for a friend or a stranger that God places on your heart. Give something to someone who needs it.

You would be surprised how much it means to the person who receives the gift.

Rose's Idea's Part 1

Birthday Presents

Everyone likes it when people remember their birthday. It’s fun to have someone say, “Happy birthday!” or for somebody to send them a present. We expect that family members will remember our birthday, but isn’t it fun when somebody outside your family remembers your birthday?

I don’t know where I got the idea, but about five years ago I started keeping track of people’s birthdays. When someone’s birthday would roll around, I would prepare a small gift and a card. Normally I would write something along the lines of “Happy Birthday. May God bless you. Rose.”

As for the gifts, I just bought things at thrift stores or I made little things.

You would have been surprised. Sometimes when I gave people presents, you would think that they hadn’t ever gotten a present in their lives. They were thrilled.

This is fun and easy way to bless people. I guarantee you, if you ask people their birthday, they’re not going to hit you over the head. People love to know that someone cares and remembers little things like birthdays.

Ministry Month Challenge Day 25

Today I'm going to cross stitch on some crocheted canvas and make a small gift. Wow, it's hard to believe that this challenge is almost over.

The finished product!

Ministry Month Challenge Day 21

Today I'm going to crochet another drawstring purse to give as a gift.

Ministry Month Challenge Day 18

Today I'm going to be making a small drawstring purse as a gift.

Ministry Month Challenge Day 7

Today I made some bookmarks to give away. These make great gifts.

Birthday Parties

                Birthdays are such a happy time. We celebrate getting a year older. It’s a time to celebrate life.

                But sometimes people need a little help celebrating. Sometimes people don’t have family close by or they are elderly and don’t have many people in the world left who care or people with large families forget sometimes. In any case you can have the ministry of the birthday party.

                Invite a few of their friends over, bake a cake, and make up a card. This can be a fun experience for everyone and it will make the person whose birthday it is feel special. It’s a great way to let someone know you care.  

Ministering to the Grieving

Someone loses a loved one. You want to help, but aren’t sure how. I know the feeling. You want to show your sympathy in a way that would be most loving.

One thing that you need to know is that when people are grieving they need love. They need comfort and help. The best help that you can be is to let them grieve in their own way. Be there for them, but also let them be on their own if they want. Often what people want more than anything when they are grieving is someone to just be there. Someone who can let them know they aren’t alone.

Cards are another sweet thing. Make sure to include prayers and thoughts for them. Make them as personal and from your heart as possible.

Food is always a wonderful thing to send to someone. When you are grieving it zaps you energy. Having food already made is blessing. Go for things that are very calm and that aren’t really spicy. Soups and sandwiches are perfect. Also think about doing a breakfast food. When you aren’t feeling well, breakfast can be a pain. Having something already made is wonderful.

Flowers are good to. They add a little cheer and let the grieving know that you thought of them.

The next time you see someone grieving; make sure to express your sympathy. Reach out and help someone who is grieving. You won’t regret it.    

Secret Sisters

            Secret sisters. I had heard about it. I knew how it worked, but I hadn’t participated in one until last year.

One of the things that our co-op did as part of co-op was Secret Sisters. It was really fun. I got to write cards and make small gifts.

Secret Sisters is a fun way to encourage and bless others. But it doesn’t just have to happen at church or even in a group. You can be a Secret Sister today.

Why not choose one girl who needs encouragement and start sending her letters and gifts. Pray for her, look out for her, and let her know that someone cares.

You never know. You might start something big.   

Baby Surprises

Over the years I’ve known many moms who have had new kids. A new baby is always such a sweet thing. There’s such excitement and anticipation that comes with having a new child. No matter if it’s number 1 or 8, each child is a blessing.

I like doing something special for new moms. While having babies is a joy, it can also be a little stressful making sure that everything gets ready for the baby.

Here are some things that you can do for the new mothers in your life.

1.       Make them a baby blanket.

2.       Put together a new mother basket. Put in things like bath salts, tea, lotions, candles, and other things to help her to relax.

3.       Make them a baby bonnet.  They can use it for the baby’s dedication day.

4.       Offer to go over and clean house. This can be really helpful for mothers who have little kids. Cleaning house and watching kids can be a great blessing.

5.        Make them meals after the birth. While they are recovering, the meals are taken care of. 

Gratefulness Challenge: Day 12

I'm grateful for hair brushes and hair stuff. Having long hair makes me very grateful that I can not only brush it, braid it, and style it.

Gratefulness Challenge: Day 9

I'm grateful for my hands. God has given me the ability to make all sorts for lovely things. From blankets, to cards, to hats, to baby gowns, to cross stitched nativities.

Gratefulness Challenge: Day 6

I'm grateful to be in a play. Even though sometimes I'm stressed about it, I love acting! God has given me a great gift.

Gratefulness Challenge: Day 4

I'm grateful for all the ways that I can communicate. I can talk, e-mail, Facebook, call, write, sign, and act out what I'm thinking of feeling. This is a great gift.

Hannah: One Simple Consistent Act

You remember the story of Hannah? Barren and despised. Sad and desperate. She goes to the tabernacle and prays to God for a son, promising that if God grants her request that she will give him back to God.


So when God gives Hannah a son, she makes good on her part of the deal and gives him back to God. After dedicating Samuel to God, Hannah returns home. But is her work finished? No. Look at 1 Samuel 2:18-19 (NIV) But Samuel was ministering before the LORD--a boy wearing a linen ephod. Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice.

Think about it. Each year Hannah worked to make Samuel an ephod. She could have easily let Eli take care of the boys clothing. She could have easily taken off a few years off and not worried about the son that she had given up. She could have used the time to make clothes for her family. But why did she take the time to make Samuel an ephod?

She was thankful for what God had done. There’s an old saying that says, “That which we too easily attain, we too lightly esteem.” Hannah was so grateful to God for giving her a son that she continued to give to and love her son even after He had been given away. A grateful heart cannot help but give and give unendingly.

Unlike her rival who had many children, but no love and no peace, Hannah gave out of a heart that was full because of what God had done for her. And year after year she gave and lived for the glory.

One simple consistent act made all the difference in the world.

The Little Drummer Boy

Come, they told me, pa rum pa pum pum
A newborn King to see, pa rum pa pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pa pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pa pum pum,
Rum pa pum pum, rum pa pum pum
So to honor Him, pa rum pa pum pum

When we come
Little baby, pa rum pa pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pa pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pa pum pum
That's fit to give our King, pa rum pa pum pum,
Rum pa pum pum, rum pa pum pum
Shall I play for You, pa rum pa pum pum
Mary nodded, pa rum pa pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pa pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pa pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pa pum pum,
Rum pa pum pum, rum pa pum pum
Then He smiled at me, pa rum pa pum pum
Me and my drum




   Sometimes like this little drummer boy, we feel we have nothing to give God. We come to Him with hands that seem to be empty. But then God prompts, "Look again."
   When we look we see things we forgot we had. A hand with a gentle touch, a voice that can bless, a heart full of tenderness for others, or a forgiving heart.
   Gently He reminds us, "Go and give what you have."
 

Christmas Surprises

Want to give small inexpensive Christmas surprises to friends? Here are a few ideas.


1. Make some bookmarks or small cards with verses on them.

2. Make them a small bag or purse to carry change in.

3. Make them a cross stitched card.

4. Make a small scrapbook of your friendship.

5. Make some homemade cookies.

6. Make a hat or a scarf

Help! My Best Friend Is Getting Married!

        My best friend announced last Sunday that she is getting married.
        So one of the next things that jumps to my mind is what am I going to give her for her bridal shower and wedding.
         If your anything like me you want to give her something unique and special. But aren’t sure what to do. After some thinking I came up with a few things that I thought I might share with you.
         I guess this does depend on the person. But here are few ideas.

Make them a cross stitched poem for their house.

Write a special letter to the bride about what a wonderful friend she has been. Then frame it as a keepsake.

Make a centerpiece for their new table. Think about using things like fake flowers or little figurines, so that they can keep it for years to come.

Give them a cookbook with some of you favorite recipes in it.

Or if you want to be more practical, give them new couple a kitchen starter package. Include things like sponges, a trashcan, dishwashing soap, ect.

Do have any ideas?