We can do no great things, only small things with great love. ~Mother Teresa
I spend a lot of my life flying blind. I want to help others, but what can I do? As much as I’m inspired by the life of Mother Teresa, I’m not an extraordinary Nun living in the slums of Calcutta, but a forty-something woman, who is prone to laziness and selfishness, living in the affluence of Australia. I have ideas about ‘changing the world’ but most of my ideas and plans never get past the embryonic stage. It is easy to have ideas, but taking the step to actually birth an idea into reality takes energy and courage.
Yet occasionally an idea captivates me to such a degree that I’m compelled to go through the labour pains and see it come to life. One of the main motivators for me is an assurance that the idea will truly benefit others, and that God himself is breathing his energy into the venture.
The best way to determine if an idea is worth pursing is to just let it be for a time. Perhaps run it by a few close friends, stick it in the ground like a seed and see if it sprouts. If it continues coming to mind and filling you with a sense of anticipation and wonder, then it may well be an idea with a purpose. If the idea doesn’t die, then take the first step in making it happen, enlist some help from friends and ‘put it out there’. The door will either open or slam shut. If it flies open, then you’re on your way.
I was reminded of these simple truths this morning as I delivered a boot-load of Welcome Packs to a local refuge for women and kids. A small group of us have been providing colourful baskets of essential toiletries and pampering products to ‘welcome’ women to refuges after escaping abusive relationships and homelessness. We also provide beach buckets filled with toiletries, colouring books and toys for the kids, and baby hampers with all the essentials for new-born babies living out their first few months in a refuge.
Making Welcome Packs isn’t rocket science. It does, however, require a lot of preparation time, making sure each pack contains everything each woman and child may need in a time of emotional turmoil and physical exhaustion. I always ask myself what I would need if I were in this situation. How can I provide basic nurture and comfort? We include simple things like soft fluffy socks, soothing hand cream and some lipstick for the women and a friendly, huggable teddy for the kids.
The other challenge is coordinating the donations we receive. Sometimes we end up with 47 tubes of toothpaste but 3 toothbrushes and 15 kids colouring books but no pencils. I’m not a methodical person and have never worked in retail. My inventory of donations is haphazard at best and I have a tendency to ‘fly by the seat of my pants’, but each time the packs come together in the end. That’s when I recognise the gentle breath of God as he stands beside me, prompting me to move this way or that, steering me away from silly mistakes and generally cheering me along.
This morning’s delivery was again a series of little miracles. I work, raise children, run a home, enjoy a close marriage and numerous friendships, so any time I devote to charity work is limited and precious. A friend and I assembled a dozen Welcome Packs on Friday. Between us we had a half hour overlap in our busy schedules. We talked, drank tea and speedily created the hampers. When my friend raced off to take her daughter to an appointment, I had another half hour left to finish the job. With only five minutes to spare before school pick up time I realised I was short one toothbrush holder. The refuges ask specifically for toothbrush holders as the women often share bathrooms. Oh dear, how would I find time for a shopping trip for one little toothbrush holder? My only chance was the ‘bits and pieces leftover box’. Tentatively I opened it and there right in the middle was one pink toothbrush holder. What a relief! The packs were now complete.
Yesterday I wrapped the packs in cellophane and found matching ribbons. As I wrap I pray for each recipient – that they will find hope and healing in their lives and will overcome the considerable obstacles they are facing. I pray that the Welcome Packs will signify new hope to them and help them to realise that there are people in our community who are on their side, and willing to spend time offering support. I never find out if my prayers are answered, but I just keep on praying and hoping.
We made one pack for a newborn baby. A kind woman knitted a soft pastel jacket and bonnet and one of my friends put together an inviting assortment of baby goodies to welcome the little one into the world. I phoned the refuge this morning and said “You probably don’t have a baby at the moment, but we’ve made a baby pack anyway“… She replied enthusiastically “Funny you should say that, we had an 11 day old baby come to stay with us yesterday.” What a joy to provide a few special items to this little person and his Mum.
Another friend donated a pretty party dress with bright pink flowers, a gift for her granddaughter which was too small. At the last moment I grabbed it to deliver with the packs. As we carried the packs into the refuge I noticed a woman with a little girl. Their faces were so serious, sad and withdrawn. The little girl watched me warily. I pointed out the dress to one of the care workers and she showed it to the girl. At first she seemed reluctant to even touch it, but then a bright smile lit her face and she held the dress up in front of her. When I left she was walking around, grinning widely and cradling the dress to her chest. I had to sniff back the tears until I reached my car.
Was it a coincidence that I had a dress to give to that girl, a baby pack ready for the baby and one last toothbrush holder? Trivial little things I know, but important just the same. I’ve seen it happen too many times – I no longer believe in coincidences.
Giving is its own reward. There is no greater happiness than helping others who genuinely need help. Yet how do we know how to help or what steps to take? I’ve found that it is only when I walk to the beat of a drum played by One who is much larger and all-seeing than I am that I get it right. On my own I’m clueless. Even when I’m flying blind my faith somehow knits together the loose threads of my attempts at goodness. We are simply hands and feet and God is calling us to help Him help a world in pain. A God of love cannot stand by and watch women and children suffering alone. We often accuse God of allowing suffering, but do we ever consider that He may want us to be part of the solution? He plants ideas into our minds and then prompts us and prods us until we take action. Each of us can play a part and make a difference. Allow compassion to drive you, and just watch the little details fall into place.
We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9
What a marvelous ministry! I think it’s great that in each pack, you’re providing not only needed supplies, but non-consumable things, so that they continue to be blessed by your generosity.
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Thanks Tracy – What we do is very simple but I hope it makes a difference. We do try to include a few items that they can keep.
I was once in an abusive relationship & I know what it’s like to find yourself in a very scary place where the kindness of strangers means so much!
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You really are a beacon, Kerry; when you give someone hope, you give them everything. But I suspect you already know that 🙂
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Thanks Robin. Yes I totally agree that restoring hope is SO important – however we go about doing it… What I do is very simple & I could do so much more – but whenever I spend time working on this project, it feels like I’m smiling all over – it’s the best feeling ever!!
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