JOY Stories
Mercy
A Christmas Blessing
My favorite Christmas was the year I had nothing. I was living with my daughter, Grace, in a homeless shelter where I was volunteering. As a homeless, single mother I wasn’t able to give my daughter a Christmas. There was a family from my church who didn’t know me very well, but when they found out we didn't have plans, they insisted we spend Christmas at their house. They showed me what a family of God looks like by carrying one another’s burdens. They took the money they would spend on themselves for Christmas and gave Grace a stroller, shoes, clothes, and a coat. It was everything that I had been asking God for in secret. I remember seeing my little Grace eating on this gigantic turkey leg and I just started laughing with JOY.
I met Steve in 2005 at the shelter. By this time, I was working full-time at the shelter. Steve had gotten out of prison and was working at McDonalds. We didn't have transportation, so he walked to work every day - rain or shine. We put Grace in her stroller and walked her to Headstart every day - rain or shine.
Steve and I married in July of 2006 and our church family gifted us with a car. We had been praying for a vehicle we could afford, but God can do "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think" Ephesians 3:20-21. It was such a blessing to get where we needed to go and not have to worry about the weather or to have to ask people for a ride. Today, we own a car lot. We began asking the Lord to show us how He wanted to bless others in need. At times, we have been able to give away a vehicle to someone in need knowing how much we were blessed by a car.
I knew God loved me before that Christmas, but after that Christmas when we had nothing, I really saw God's love. I saw his love through His people. I saw that I didn’t have to work for his love. He loves me just as I am. Because of God's goodness to us on that special Christmas, we learned to make it a point to look for needs - especially at Christmastime!
Photos for Mercy
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