She was standing on the corner at a traffic light and I pulled up beside her. She was about 30 years old and wearing a large black puffy coat with a hood. Her simple sign asked for financial help. I do not normally give away money in this manner, but something stirred inside of me.
Yes, we have had a hard economic year ourselves. We have learned big lessons in living our lives with what we NEED, not what we want. But, I was driving a car, with gas in it, with the heat on and listening to a Christmas CD. I was on my way to buy a pair of shoes for my 6 year old because I had the money to do so. And here she was with a simple smile in the cold wind just waiting for a kind gesture.
I opened the window and handed her $5. She said, "God bless you" as I rolled up my window. For a moment I was worried that I had just given $5 to someone who might use it for something other than necessities. Then, my 6 year old son asked me why I gave her some money. "I don't know!", I wanted to say. Instead I just told him that sometimes people have a tough time and need help and it's good to give to people even if you don't know them.
"Maybe she will use the $5 to buy a pair of shoes", my son said. "Maybe she will", I said as I looked back at him in the rear view mirror. "Or maybe, she can find a pair of shoes for $3 and get a pair of socks for $2". He had no doubt that she would use that small amount of money for something she truely needed. He made a believer out of me!
I BELIEVE! Merry Christmas.
Crazy, Busy, Mama ("CBM")
Kathy
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
Yeah, Voters!
I decided to vote early yesterday and headed to my local polling site mid-afternoon. I saw the usual signage as I made my way closer to the building. I was even pleased with the fact that the line looked managable; I was in and out in about 65 minutes.
As I was rounding the last leg of my line (similar to that of a Disney World experience), I could barely manage to keep from tearing up. What took my breath away was the great pride I had as I watched people of all walks of life in line and ready to vote. Let me paint a picture for you.
Behind me was an elderly woman about 75 years old. She was there to vote along with her friend who had fallen only 2 days earlier. Her friend walked from chair to chair to sit due to her injuries and I couldn't help but notice the bruising and cuts on the left side of her face from her accident. I watched a group of young Hispanic women with smiles on their faces as they exited the voting room. I assume it was their first time and they were full of chatter and grins. I saw a heavy-set woman sitting in a chair waiting for someone. It was not until her helper took her to the voting booth that I noticed she was blind. A young male voter was in line almost oblivious to others around him with his iPod "plugged in" during his entire wait, but he was there!
I saw moms with their children, elderly couples, people in wheel chairs and on oxygen. Each was there to cast their vote. Each took serious the responsibility of their task.
Personally, as I pushed the button to cast my ballot, I felt a sign of relief. No longer do I have to listen to the commercials or read the articles or second-guess myself as I try to decide on the officials that will run our local, state and national government. I am ready to see the results and move on.
Mostly I am so proud of my fellow citizens who made their wayto the poles early, regardless of their personal difficulty.
Yeah, America!
As I was rounding the last leg of my line (similar to that of a Disney World experience), I could barely manage to keep from tearing up. What took my breath away was the great pride I had as I watched people of all walks of life in line and ready to vote. Let me paint a picture for you.
Behind me was an elderly woman about 75 years old. She was there to vote along with her friend who had fallen only 2 days earlier. Her friend walked from chair to chair to sit due to her injuries and I couldn't help but notice the bruising and cuts on the left side of her face from her accident. I watched a group of young Hispanic women with smiles on their faces as they exited the voting room. I assume it was their first time and they were full of chatter and grins. I saw a heavy-set woman sitting in a chair waiting for someone. It was not until her helper took her to the voting booth that I noticed she was blind. A young male voter was in line almost oblivious to others around him with his iPod "plugged in" during his entire wait, but he was there!
I saw moms with their children, elderly couples, people in wheel chairs and on oxygen. Each was there to cast their vote. Each took serious the responsibility of their task.
Personally, as I pushed the button to cast my ballot, I felt a sign of relief. No longer do I have to listen to the commercials or read the articles or second-guess myself as I try to decide on the officials that will run our local, state and national government. I am ready to see the results and move on.
Mostly I am so proud of my fellow citizens who made their wayto the poles early, regardless of their personal difficulty.
Yeah, America!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Using Your Gifts for the Greater Good
I will not be taking a political stand on this blog site, but I do want to talk a bit about our responsibility as US citizens. No matter who comes out on top of the political scene in November, let me urge you to look at the reason that the United States is THE best country in the world to live: ITS PEOPLE! We are all gifted with talents and abilities. Some use those talents to seek political office. Others will use them to raise their family. No one person is more important than another.
These are interesting times in our country, and we must stand together as we work through them. Think about how you will take responsibility for your country in the coming months. Will you use your voice and make your way to the poles even if it's raining or traffic is bad? Will you find your gift of giving as you look in your pantry for a few extra canned goods for the local food bank or even hand that person on the corner a dollar just because you can? Will you utilize your gift of listening and spend a few extra minutes hearing about what your child did in school today? Will you step out with your gift of leadership and run a fundraiser for a friend trying to pay medical bills?
We were not put on this earth to complain or to feel sorry for ourselves. Take action and take the lead!
Crazy Busy Mama,
Kathy
These are interesting times in our country, and we must stand together as we work through them. Think about how you will take responsibility for your country in the coming months. Will you use your voice and make your way to the poles even if it's raining or traffic is bad? Will you find your gift of giving as you look in your pantry for a few extra canned goods for the local food bank or even hand that person on the corner a dollar just because you can? Will you utilize your gift of listening and spend a few extra minutes hearing about what your child did in school today? Will you step out with your gift of leadership and run a fundraiser for a friend trying to pay medical bills?
We were not put on this earth to complain or to feel sorry for ourselves. Take action and take the lead!
Crazy Busy Mama,
Kathy
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
SPEAK UP!
I have always felt that part of my job description as a mother was to teach my children to care for others. And not only that, but to lead the charge! This was recently confirmed to me as I purused the Bible and specifically, Proverbs 31. The passage has long been a source of teaching for Christian women on how to be a "Wife of Noble Character" (vs. 10-31).
As I often do in reading a verse or two, I back up to see what was happening before then. What I read really struck me. A woman is giving her son counsel, for he is to be King one day. Here is part of her advice: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitude. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy".
What a nugget! Have you ever wondered what you will tell your child as they go off to college or take their first job? We would probably warn them of the dangers 'out there', tell them to do their best, be successful and try to make a living in the process. But would we have the vision to give our children the bigger picture as this woman did? "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves"!
As you think about the child or children you brought into this world, think also of the counsel you will give them as they begin making their mark on the world. How will they be remembered? For whom will they speak up?
CBM (Crazy Busy Mama),
Kathy
As I often do in reading a verse or two, I back up to see what was happening before then. What I read really struck me. A woman is giving her son counsel, for he is to be King one day. Here is part of her advice: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitude. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy".
What a nugget! Have you ever wondered what you will tell your child as they go off to college or take their first job? We would probably warn them of the dangers 'out there', tell them to do their best, be successful and try to make a living in the process. But would we have the vision to give our children the bigger picture as this woman did? "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves"!
As you think about the child or children you brought into this world, think also of the counsel you will give them as they begin making their mark on the world. How will they be remembered? For whom will they speak up?
CBM (Crazy Busy Mama),
Kathy
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Be Your Child's Hero
September 11th is here. Again we re-live the horrific details of that fateful day "the world changed". It is a day of remembrance. Remembering the lives that were lost, the lives changed forever and the heroes that risked it all!
Let me tell you about a hero I saw this morning. As I drove my children to school, we were stopped for a school bus as kids from an apartment complex made their way to the bus. I saw a woman, who appeared to be dressed for her day at work, walk her two children across the street to the door of the bus. She saw them find their seat and walked back across the street. As the bus pulled away she turned around to wave to her children. That's a hero.
"You did it!", I wanted to yell from the car window. You woke up early, showered, got ready for work, prepared for your work day, woke up the kids, got them ready for school, packed their lunch, fed them breakfast, washed the dishes, helped them with their shoes, brushed their hair, reminded them to get their backpacks, walked them to the bus stop, got them on the bus and waved them on their way! They were loved today and knew it before 7:30 in the morning!
We are all heroes to our children when we love them, encourage them, pray for them. On this day when we remember the heroes of September 11th, remember that you are a hero today! Spend time with your eternal Hero and thank Him for the example He gave us to love others.
"CBM"
Let me tell you about a hero I saw this morning. As I drove my children to school, we were stopped for a school bus as kids from an apartment complex made their way to the bus. I saw a woman, who appeared to be dressed for her day at work, walk her two children across the street to the door of the bus. She saw them find their seat and walked back across the street. As the bus pulled away she turned around to wave to her children. That's a hero.
"You did it!", I wanted to yell from the car window. You woke up early, showered, got ready for work, prepared for your work day, woke up the kids, got them ready for school, packed their lunch, fed them breakfast, washed the dishes, helped them with their shoes, brushed their hair, reminded them to get their backpacks, walked them to the bus stop, got them on the bus and waved them on their way! They were loved today and knew it before 7:30 in the morning!
We are all heroes to our children when we love them, encourage them, pray for them. On this day when we remember the heroes of September 11th, remember that you are a hero today! Spend time with your eternal Hero and thank Him for the example He gave us to love others.
"CBM"
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Hurricane Activity on the Minds of Kids
Children's hearts are so pure and when they hear of others hurting because of difficulty, they often ask how they can help. As parents, grandparents, teachers and adults influencing them, we must keep our ears open for opportunities to share the message of caring for others. It is through our example that children learn how to show love to others. God calls us to love others through acts of kindness in 1 John 3:18: "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with action and in truth".
As a busy hurricane season approaches our coastal US, let us remember the world's outreach with Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Many learned that giving and helping others is the most rewarding part of life. A wonderful example of this is shown in a recently-released book called, "Imagine If...I Could Calm a Storm" (June, 2008). It is a true story written by a mother and son (9 years old). It shares how one young boy helped motivate his entire school to send water to the vicitms of Katrina and Rita. It is a perfect way to open the door to discussion on the hurricane season, what to expect and how to respond during difficult times. The book is available on www.xyzbooks.com and www.amazon.com.
Crazy Busy Mama ("CBM"),
As a busy hurricane season approaches our coastal US, let us remember the world's outreach with Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Many learned that giving and helping others is the most rewarding part of life. A wonderful example of this is shown in a recently-released book called, "Imagine If...I Could Calm a Storm" (June, 2008). It is a true story written by a mother and son (9 years old). It shares how one young boy helped motivate his entire school to send water to the vicitms of Katrina and Rita. It is a perfect way to open the door to discussion on the hurricane season, what to expect and how to respond during difficult times. The book is available on www.xyzbooks.com and www.amazon.com.
Crazy Busy Mama ("CBM"),
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