There are no kettles out right now, but the Salvation Army is out. They are often the first to arrive and the last to leave when it comes to crisis. If you have the ability please consider donating to the Salvation Army. They are helping EVERYONE who comes to their doors. 

Let’s remember that this time of social distancing and sheltering in place is really about coming back to being a family, to resting in the Lord, and to knowing it is okay to laugh and giggle and play in the puddles and not be productive every day.

“my sweet children could read what my face was saying more than what my heart was feeling. And in the boldness of childhood innocence they asked…”

But this is the real truth of my life. Every box of my heart needs to be examined and poured out before the Lord. Because what I have labeled as good, or valuable, or worth keeping, might just be the very thing the Lord is trying to work out of me.

As a teacher every student who came through my classroom took a small piece of my heart, even those who thought I hated them (I didn’t hate you, I just wanted more for you than you did).

At the appropriate times my heart soars with excitement for their accomplishments and a little pride and a great deal of Gratitude fill my heart, that even if they never remember my face or name I was permitted to be part of their journey. But the other side of that coin is the grief and heartache that comes when one of my students is hurting or worse when they die too soon. My heart breaks, because a little piece of my heart dies with them.

About 5 years ago I was contacted to speak at a Salvation Army event. I must admit that I knew so little about the Army at that point that i was confused by the invite. Why would this organization that was great at thrift stores, red kettles, and disaster relief want me? and who would i speak too? Always up for an adventure I agreed to go, i can honestly say i was both in awe and shock at what i experienced.