In the Flow with Healing Waters

Have you ever seen A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens? Bob Cratchit works for Ebenezer Scrooge. He is optimistic and loyal to Scrooge. He has a large family with one of his children having cerebral palsy. They are poor and struggle to make ends meet but they are happy. They appear to not have enough to get by, but whose opinion is that? What does it mean to have or not have enough? One of the lines in that play is “enough means something different to everyone.” For Bob Cratchit and his family, they feel as if they have enough, because they have shelter, “enough” food for each person and they have each other. 

If a wealthy person finds a dollar on the street, they may not even pick it up because they have so much and it won’t impact their life, but if a homeless person finds a dollar, he or she might be able to get something to eat to temporarily satisfy their hunger. 

I have a friend who works for School District 834. In a recent conversation with her, she was telling me that the amount of homeless families within the district has more than doubled over the last year. It brought awareness to me that there are SO many people right here in our community that don’t have enough. Perhaps you’re having your own struggles and you’re making your own adjustment to feel like you have enough.  

We’ve all been through unsettled seasons where someone reached out to us and helped us get through “the storm.” Maybe it wasn’t a financial situation where you were lacking “enough,” but an emotional situation. Remember how that made you feel when someone cared about you? Paying it forward from a time when someone helped you is a simple way to give to others. It doesn’t have to be complicated or cost a lot. However, if you are in need, asking for support is crucial so others know what is needed, financially, emotionally or something else. 

If making a financial donation to someone in need or a specific organization isn’t your thing, there are other ways to give. Remember that you can give all year long without it costing any money, except for your time and maybe some gasoline. 

-Volunteer at Second Harvest and pack meals. Invite family and friends to get involved too!!

-Check in with a friend who is going through a rough time and ask how they are doing? Make it about them and not you. Be present in the conversation. Ask what they need.

-Clean out your closet and donate to Valley Outreach where those in need get free clothing or to the organization of your choosing. 

-Donate food to Valley Outreach or another food shelf. 

The fact is, enough means something different to each of us. What does enough mean to you and what can you do for others to give them that feeling of enough not only at Christmastime, but throughout the year? 

In the Flow,

Deb