enlarge your heart...

Today was a great day at the Thompson house. We participated with our church today not in having a service but rather actually worshipping by serving. At True North Church today we called it "Enlarge Your Heart Sunday". Rather than meeting in the theater as normal we all gathered outside the theater for a brief moment of fellowship and encouragement... then we all received our challenges for the day. It was exciting for me to see the spirit and enthusiasm that so many had about daring to take risks and serve our community in some unique ways.

My family actually drew 4 challenges from the challenge box and decided to go for it on each one. Here were our challenges...

1. Buy a bag of non-perishable groceries and go to the exit ramp at South Saunders and I-40. Wait until you find someone there or near that area in need and give the groceries away.

2. Buy some donuts or make something at home. Deliver it to the fire station at 1695 Timber Drive. Thank them for the way the serve our community.

3. Pray at the flagpoles of these local schools... Aversboro Elementary, Timber Drive Elementary, and Vandora Springs Elementary. Write a letter to school administrators and let them know what you've done and that you appreciate their service.

4. Go to the grocery store. In an effort to spread some Christmas cheer take the cart of the person behind you in line and pay for their groceries as well.

We were encouraged on each challenge to pray for those we encountered to be touched by God and also be prepared to answer questions for anyone asking why we were doing these acts of kindness.

I had read a blog earlier in the week that reminded me of how narrow the way is that we have been called to follow. Being a Christ-follower comes with no promise of being easy. The challenges though to this life are rewarding beyond belief! Today I was thrilled to experience some of these challenges with my family and lead them by example in following Christ. I only wish I did this more in everyday living. As an overflow from my day's experience that has become my aim - to enlarge my heart in everyday living and set an example for my kids to follow!

We fulfilled each of the above challenges and even more. We were able to meet a man named Phillip to whom we gave the groceries we purchased. The kids saw him sitting alone in a parking lot near I-40. It was a bit intimidating to pull in and approach him, but the risk was well worth the reward. He was very much in need... didn't know what he would do with his day other than wait for the rescue mission to reopen at 6:00 so he'd have a place to sleep. He was very appreciative and asked for God to bless us. I think it was eye-opening for each of us. We also took the donuts to the fire station and they appreciated our thoughtfulness. We travelled to the schools in Garner and prayed for students, faculty and staff at each location. Hearing the prayers of my children really inspired me today. I also went back in and paid for the groceries of the person behind us in line. They were really taken back but deeply appreciative. It just felt like one of those God moments! The moment today when my heart was really hit hard was at dinner... just before eating Nate asked if he could pray... when he did he prayed for all the people (specifically Phillip) that we had met and prayed for earlier today. His little heart was really drawn to these acts of service.

This whole Sunday came as a result of concluding our series "How The Grinch Stole Christmas". If you recall in the end of this fun Christmas story the Grinch's heart grew three sizes. I'll end my thoughts from today with the Grinch's own words...
"maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store... maybe Christmas... means a little bit more!"