A Little Shoebox Can Be a Big Gift {Guest Post}

October 13th, 2011 admin

By Jonathan Webb

Have you ever stopped to think about what your life would be like if you didn’t have access to ‘stuff’ at all times?  What if you had to walk a mile for clean water, without shoes, on roads that are not paved?  What if you couldn’t run to the grocery store at the drop of a hat to pick up food?  What if there was no grocery store?  What if you missed meals because you simply had no food?  What if, what if, what if…?  It is easier to play that game when you are sitting in a nice house reading this on a nice computer while drinking a nice cup of coffee.  But, for most of the world that ‘game’ is very real, very hard, and happening right now.

I’m not here to bash America, bash the church, or even bash having stuff.  There is too much of that going on right now and I believe it is counter-productive.  I simply want all of us to open our eyes to what is going on around us and do something about it, right now wherever you are.  If you lived in a place such as the one described above would you want someone to help?  Would you want to find relief for your children, your family, your friends?  Of course you would.

The little boy in the picture is opening his Operation Christmas Child shoe box gift in Uganda.  I watched his face as he received toys, paper for school, and a toothbrush.  He felt loved, cared for, and special.  Operation Christmas Child is such an easy project to do with your family yet it has such a tremendous impact on the lives of everyone it touches.  Children all around the world are hurting in a way we can never imagine, and for one moment while opening a box they can know someone loves them.  And, even greater than the stuff they receive, they can know and feel the love of Jesus.

With each box comes a special opportunity to hear about Christ’s love for us.  What an amazing opportunity to impact the spiritual and very real physical needs of children from right here in the U.S!  As I personally witnessed little boys and girls open their boxes, smiles appearing on their faces, and the excitement of their new gifts, I could not help but think of my children.  I can’t help everyone who is hurting, but I can help one, two, or even 10 children through these shoe box gifts.  I can take a few dollars and some time and provide a child somewhere in the world physical needs and the wonderful news that Jesus loves them.  Will you join me in providing hope this year?  To learn more about this life-changing project visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ.

Jonathan works for Samaritan’s Purse, an international disaster relief organization located in Boone, North Carolina.  He is the Youth Initiatives and Prayer Mobilization Specialist for Operation Christmas Child and absolutely loves his job!  He graduated from Murray State University and is currently pursuing his Masters in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University.  Jonathan loves spending time with his wife (who is Becky from Our Peaceful Home by the way ) and his two children.  When he is not hanging with the family or working on school you can find his nose in a book, lots and lots of books!  Jonathan loves to read and welcomes any suggestions on good books that are out there.  Who knows, maybe he will even write one someday! You can connect with Jonathan on twitter.