{"id":13443,"date":"2021-11-08T15:47:39","date_gmt":"2021-11-08T22:47:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.mops.org\/?p=13443"},"modified":"2021-11-08T15:47:39","modified_gmt":"2021-11-08T22:47:39","slug":"my-first-shoebox","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themom.co\/fr\/my-first-shoebox\/","title":{"rendered":"My first Shoebox"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a little girl,\u00a0I stood anxiously in a store aisle clutching my cardboard shoebox.\u00a0My eyes scanned the shelves in search of just the right item.\u00a0The contents had to be perfect, although to this day I\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0tell you what I actually included in my first box; more than likely it was pink and sparkly.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I kept thinking about the girl who would open my box.\u00a0<\/span>Does\u00a0she look like me? Does she enjoy the same things as\u00a0I do? How will\u00a0something so small impact her\u00a0life?\u00a0<\/span><\/i>The\u00a0feelings\u00a0I had in\u00a0that\u00a0moment\u00a0are\u00a0ones\u00a0I can still vividly remember: excitement, curiosity, hope\u00a0and love for someone I would never meet.\u00a0It is the feeling I get every time I shop and pack a shoebox.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Growing up, my family\u00a0always\u00a0showed generosity through action.\u00a0Operation Christmas Child was a tangible way my church and parents modeled what it meant to give and love others generously. Now as a mother myself, I realize how often my words fall on deaf ears (for\u00a0example,\u00a0\u201cPick\u00a0up your socks!\u201d). But my actions and behavior carry far more weight. Little eyes are always watching. Much like\u00a0when I was a child, my kids anticipate packing a box for\u00a0a child\u00a0their age who otherwise wouldn\u2019t receive a gift\u00a0along\u00a0with other basic necessities. They too can be seen walking the aisles of a store, box in hand, as they meticulously choose each item. Teaching our children their colors and numbers can be relatively simple,\u00a0but helping\u00a0to build\u00a0Christlike\u00a0character traits\u00a0in them can\u00a0be a challenge. Operation Christmas Child\u00a0is a simple way to leave a lasting impact.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When I became a MOPS coordinator, I felt called to rally moms near and far to pack boxes. We know when you activate moms you can move mountains! I witnessed dozens of women generously contribute items, take their kids shopping, and fold hundreds of boxes for the sake of reaching even one child. In partnership with our local church, friends and families, every year (all year!) we collect items for Operation Christmas Child. In the last six years we have been able to pack 446 boxes. I get chills every time I think about each child who is represented in each box; 446 kids and their families who will experience the joy and love Operation Christmas Child has to offer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In each box\u00a0there is one item more important than the\u00a0rest,\u00a0albeit unseen:\u00a0\u00a0an introduction to Jesus. Children and their families by the millions are learning about a God who loves them more than anything, so much so\u00a0that he sacrificed\u00a0his only Son for them. You see, Operation Christmas Child is more than a one-time gift of stuffed animals, hygiene products and school supplies. It offers an eternal gift that is changing the world because of the generosity of others. It is a tangible reminder of an intentional God who offers everlasting life and unconditional love.\u00a0I may never meet the girl I packed my first box for, but it is my prayer we are\u00a0united one day in\u00a0heaven. What a celebration it will be!\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0
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As we enter into the busiest, and sometimes most stressful\u00a0season of the year,\u00a0will you commit to modeling generous living for your kids? Will you bring them to the store clutching their boxes in search of the perfect gift? Because every single box\u00a0counts, every single child deserves to know the God who created them in\u00a0his image and will experience\u00a0his love through your generosity.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0
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Let\u2019s go make love our legacy this holiday season, one box at a time.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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JOIN OUR COMMUNITY<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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