Last weekend, I was decorating my house trying to get into the Holiday spirit, but I found myself feeling a little blue. I understand that the holidays can intensify feelings of loss and lonliness, and that for many people, feeling sad is normal at this time of the year. For me, the realization that my husband and both my parents are gone, and my girls are away from home hit me hard and had me feeling sort of sorry for myself. So, in an attempt to distract myself, I went to work, and began to edit some of the interviews we had recently done at the station for our Tree Of Lights Radiothon.
As I listened to the heartfelt and inspiring stories from men and women like Tina, Amazetta, Kenny, Timothy and others, I felt as though God was tapping me on the shoulder, snapping me out of it. Here were these men and women who had gone through such challenging times, and they had come out of it stronger, and were using their stories to inspire others.
And inspire they did.
As I listened to each of them talk; as I took segments from each and placed music behind them...I must have gone through a box of tissue. I'm certain that their stories were a good part of why so many generous people stepped up over these past few days during the WQMX Tree Of Lights Radiothon to support the work of Haven Of Rest. The men and women who go to the Haven are in such need. And when they get there, those needs are filled. Not just their physical needs, but also, their emotional and spiritual needs.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect when we began our plea for donations because the economy is so tough right now. But so many people who came in to make a donation said that it was because times were tough they wanted to donate more. And that was the overall theme. Even though times were tough--most people acknowledged that there was always someone else who was worse off.
I want to thank the current and former residents and clients of the Haven, who were courageous enough to share their stories. And I want to thank the staff for helping to make miracles happen. And I want to thank all of you--who generously donated to our radiothon to help us raise some $40,000 so the Haven can continue their ministry.
And I am also thankful for the reality check...because now I feel I am in the true spirit of the holiday season.
May you be blessed this Christmas season.
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