Will One Make a Difference?

Every year we participate in Operation Christmas Child. It's a program through Samaritan's Purse. We let both Payton and Connor create and give their own box and, of course, Payton always picks a girl (you can specify a boy or girl and their age range) and Connor picks a boy. We shop for toys, hygiene items, treats, etc. to fill the box and then we come home and wrap the box (with the lid separately so Samaritan's Purse can add their language-specific materials). With all of the things that happened this week, I was just not in the mood to do it this year. I had myself convinced that one or two boxes would not make a difference. How could it possibly make a difference? Hundreds of thousands of boxes (or more) are donated for Operation Christmas Child....our 2 will most definitely not be missed.

So, the kids and I were shopping at Walmart to pick up Jim's birthday gift and I opened my purse to find the Samaritan's Purse brochure. So, since we were already there, I decided to let the kids pick the goodies for their individual boxes. Payton clearly understands the program and how her box will go to a child that will get nothing but that box for Christmas. She also knows that Samaritan's Purse uses those boxes to preach the gospel to the children of these poor countries. Connor, on the other hand, simply does not understand. Sure he enjoyed shopping for the toys but it was a harsh reality when he realized that he was not going to be able to keep even one. That's OK, with time, he'll understand.

Connor and I wrapped and neatly boxed the items. He even wrote a little note in his and put a picture of himself. It was fun for both of us. Not until a day later when I was on my walk did it hit me that God uses the weak to lead the strong. Giving that box will bless me just as much as it will bless the child that receives it. Most importantly, I am so thankful that God doesn't think like I do. He will never think "what's one more person? He or she won't make a difference". Every single person matters and makes a difference to God and He will tug on each of us to accept Him until the very end. Just like with our Christmas boxes, it will be our own choice to do it or not.