What would happen if a group of people decided to try to bring back the Spirit of Christmas with 10,000 spontaneous acts of generosity in the month of December? I really had no idea when I had Lisa Kibler order 10,000 "You've Been Gifted" cards. The cards are pretty simple and just explain that at Hudson Community Chapel we believe the greatest gift ever given was Jesus and the gift we are giving now is just a reminder of the generosity of God. The idea was for everyone in church to take a couple of cards and move out into the community looking for people to give something to. It has been a blast to hear the stories that come back. I just received this...
"One of God's angels gifted me today. She didn't know how much it meant and
was needed. Please say thanks to your congregation and to the "angel" at
Walmart last Friday."
How cool! I have been receiving stuff like that all week. But I have also been receiving emails from the gifters and not just the giftees. How about these?
"Joe, just 'Gifted' a frail, sweet old woman at the grocery a few minutes
ago. What pleasure was in her face. I think that it took her the several
minutes walking to her car to digest what just happened. She walked back
in to bring her cart and thanked me more and gave the most precious hug
ever. This is so much fun, so very rewarding and the best Christmas gift
for me this year. I feel guilty for the joy that this brings me. I know I
am getting far more doing this than anyone is getting from the free gifts.
It is almost addicting. :)"
or
"Joe, I have traditionally had a difficult time around the holidays due to
what we as a culture have done with this most sacred celebration. I want
you to know I have not felt such joy in a long time. I have had sooo much
fun doing spontaneous and sometimes anonymous gifting acts. I have felt like
old Ebenezer on Christmas day....this has been one of my best Christmas's
ever."
or
"God really used the gifting to impact my family. My parents were stunned
when I asked the server for the check of the young couple across from us
in the restaurant. Church for my folks is more of a social place where they
have great friendships. I have witnessed to them for years about having a
relationship with Christ and being born-again and those cards opened up a
door to share God's truth with them. I had to hold back the tears in the
restaurant when I realized once again that His ways are not our ways and
He calls us to obedience."
One of the best was a text I received from a young man who is a server in a restaurant. He said a fellow server who happens to be a Muslim asked him if he attended Hudson Community Chapel. He said yes. She then told him that someone had picked up the check for another table and handed her the card to present since they wanted to be anonymous. She said she had never seen anything like that and thought it was awesome.
When I introduced the gifting cards I think I just wanted us all to get in the giving spirit. I thought it would bring some joy to those who were the recipients of spontaneous generosity. Leave it to God to soften the hearts of long time family members, make someone feel guilty for the joy she gets in giving, and create a curiosity in the heart of a Muslim about a God who would give His Son.
God is always surprising me. It is a great game God and I play. Whenever I think I have a good idea he takes it and changes it just enough so I realize whose idea it was in the first place. Don't miss out on what God is doing this season. Merry Christmas.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
"You've Been Gifted"
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6 comments:
Joe, what a great way to witness. As Christ gave himself up for us while we were yet sinners. People are "giving themselves up" for others who do not yet know Christ. It was His kindness that led us to repentance, and by the grace of God, these kind acts will draw many to our Lord. Thanks for the faithfulness to pass on the suggestion when the Spirit enlightened you.
Scott
Don't forget the bell ringers for the Salvation Army... thank them for what they do with a warm sandwich and hot cocoa they so appreciate it. I have been doing this for years. It is a wonderful gift to these kind loving souls who are working for the Lord. The other day a lady overheard me ordering food for one of these "angels" and she said, "You know I have never thought of that and they are out there in the cold it is a wonderful idea and I am going to start doing that too." Giving is contagious and God is glorified no matter who or when you give. Try giving year around it keeps Christ alive!!!
Well, it was a lot of fun to gift someone this morning. I felt like a stalker - I was watching the elderly lady behind me in line at the CVS and trying to add up what she had in their hand (okay - I'm a cheap gifter - I wanted to make sure I had enough). After paying for my stuff, I stood behind her and as soon as the cashier told her the total, I gave the elderly lady the "gifted" card and the cashier the money. Not looking at the card, the elderly lady said thank you, dropped the card in her purse and continued to get her money out. I looked at her and said, "it's on me, that's what the card says." Then I left. After the initial shock, she started to laugh and looked in her purse for the card. I could hear her outside the store, laughing and trying to figure out what had just happened.
She was still talking to cashier when I pulled away in my car and I could see the smiles on their faces.
What a great idea. I hope we do it again next year. Meanwhile, I have another "gifted" card in my pocket and am thinking about what next clandestine gifting operation I can perform on the way home from work without getting arrested.
Have a great day, and see you "live" on Sunday!
An Aurora Chapel person
"Gifting" can actually be rather uncomfortable if you are doing something where you are helping a person and interacting with them for a period of time and they are a stranger. They are suspicious of you and you are suspicious of them. You are invading their space. And people outside of Hudson do not know HCC, for the most part. The card means nothing.
But if being a little unsettled and nervous creates an opening for Christ, then that is good.
Joe, why just 'Gift' during the Christmas season? I used my cards and would like to get more to use throughout the year. Can you have some more printed to use during the entire year?
I decided to try this idea with my employees. Gave 20 employees $100 each with the mission to give it away. What stories we shared last week as we all met for lunch to share our stories. We were able to touch people from India, Dominican Republic, Tampa Florida, our neighbors, family, etc.
Our staff loved the idea and even involved their family in the giving. We have decided as a company to do this quarterly in 2009!
Maybe others who have businesses would consider this idea??
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