I hope your weekend was fabulous! Mine was off the charts crazy, wild, exciting, and just heart-filling.
As I mentioned last week this Easter was going to be different for me this year. It wasn’t going to be about new clothes, shoes, and bags. Instead, I was giving up my normal to set out to bless others. As I prepared for my first Easter venture, I ran across quite a few old bracelets that I had stored away.
It is ridiculous that I had so many bracelets (all different shapes, sizes, colors) that I NEVER wear. Would you consider that hoarding? Definitely a bit of excessiveness and waste! I got them all out, put each separate one in a baggy, and then put them all in a bag I could carry to the street corner when we went out to serve others.
Upon arriving out on the street corner, some of us set up tables to give out hotdogs. Yet, some others had bins of clothing to give out. Me, I walked around with my big bag of bracelets and talked to the girls. I had beaded bracelets perfect for the little girls that came out and beautiful bracelets for the moms. They each loved getting to pick out their own Easter bracelet.
The girl that stopped-my-heart was a teenager. We struck up a conversation and I tell you the momma in me wanted to come out with a lecture — What are you doing out here? You should get home. This is no place for a teenage girl to be living. That boy you’re with needs-to-go! Your whole life is ahead of you. But, I resisted!
As she looked through the bag, she quickly spotted a charm bracelet that had nothing but hearts on it. She picked it up and said to me, “Can I have this one? I love hearts. It’s all about love!”
She was so right! It’s all about love.
Those bracelets that had been hidden in my jewelry box for years became a source of converation for me to bless these girls. And in return, they blessed me.
Because, it’s all about love!
Do you have bracelets you could give to others?
If your heart is leading, you are called. If you are called, others are waiting on you. Get the rest in a FREE eBook. bit.ly/IynKCB
— Alene Snodgrass (@AleneSnodgrass) April 12, 2012
This is beautiful Alene, I don’t have much bracelets but a few that was mostly a gift from family.
But I do have love, lots of it that I can give to others :) Blessings friend!
Girl – LOVE is what they mostly need. True Love! God’s love. They feel the world has turned on them and nobody cares. Yes, yes — love love love them!
What a sweet idea! I love how you think beyond the necessities. Those ladies/girls could love and use a new bracelet. I’m sure that will become a treasure to them.
Lisa – they really need necessities and mostly love. We usually take food, clothes, shoes and hygiene products. Also, socks are a huge blessing for those on the streets.
You are such an encouragement and blessing! Not only to those you minister to on the streets now….since that’s your “new normal”…(smile)….but to my heart as well ! I don’t live close to any “street people” in cities like you do but our church has a bus ministry and my husband and I see many down and out people when we visit for that. We have bought groceries, given cash, taken clothes, blankets and other necessities and given to many of these people over the past 10-12 years that we’ve been working with the bus ministry. And it always blesses me more than it blesses them I think! Some of the young people we visit with just don’t seem to have a chance in life. So that’s why riding the church van is so needed…they can learn about the ONE thing that can change their lives and make them better….the LOVE OF JESUS! Thank you Alene for all you do! Keep sharing your story!
Thank you for sharing your bracelet experience!
Alene, next week you are on my to-do list. To read your book. To share it. Finishing up the whirlwind that marks our spring…both girls have birthdays, Spring Break, Easter, planting of the seeds for the garden. More time next week. LOVE your bracelet post. Awesome. I hope that heart bracelet reminds that girl of Christ’s love at some point.