God Put Something On My Heart

For a few months now I feel God has put something in my heart to somehow giveback to the community, but I was never sure just what. I prayed about it a lot. A few weeks ago I was sitting in church reading the bulletin and something just jumped out to me. A Heart for the Hungry. Our church's food pantry was empty. The pantry that used to feed hundreds of families, now, there’s a sign on the door that says “Sorry, there are no food bags available at this time.”

That was it! That’s what my heart wanted to do. Fill those pantry shelves until they’re overflowing! Could I do this alone? No. I needed help. I had this idea of having a table set up in front of a local grocery stores collecting non-perishable food donations, a Food Drive. But I wanted to do more . My idea grew to wanting a table set up in front of every single grocery store in the area, all at the same time. Crazy? I thought so at first. Man, did I pray about it again and again. Slowly, things started to fall into place. Once I started looking for volunteers, they started pouring out of the wood work. Even random strangers that heard of the event asked if they could help out. We ended up with over 25 people helping this little BIG dream come to reality.

My vision came to life. This was my weekend.

{and this isn't everyone!}

We decorated the food donation barrels {10 of them which were donated with a value of $50 each!}, rented the U-Haul truck, gathered our amazing volunteers and headed out!

The day called for rain. We didn't get sprinkled on, it was an all out downpour. As soon as each table was set up, the sky's flood gates opened and I hadn't seen rain like that in ages. Everyone was soaked. But was that going to stop us? No way. We were determined! And it didn't stop people from giving. We had a few people even wheel out a cart full of groceries and just leave it next to our bins. The entire cart fulls were for the Food Drive! I didn't know what to say. Thank you just didn't seem like enough but was all I could say. It made me really emotional. People have such good hearts. The world has put such a dark cloud over humanity, but it's not true. Most people want to give out of the goodness of their hearts. They want to help others. And it showed this very day.

We ended the day with each of our barrels filled to the brim and food bags all around each table. The church's food pantry was so packed the door wouldn't close. This was all God's doing. It started as a thought God had placed on my heart, ended up feeding dozens {even hundreds maybe} of low-income families.

This was such a eye opening experience I just can't wait to do it again. I encourage each and everyone of you to find a way to give back to the community. There's so much out there that needs help and it takes so little to made a huge impact on someones life.

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

One CAN Make A Difference!

be the change you wish to see.... The Shine Project

Photo by Rachel Lauren Photography

For a few months now I feel God has put something in my heart to somehow giveback to the community, but I was never sure just what. I prayed about it a lot. A few weeks ago I was sitting in church reading the bulletin and something just jumped out to me. It was called "A Heart for the Hungry". Our church's food pantry was empty. The pantry that used to feed hundreds of families, now, there’s a sign on the door that says “Sorry, there are no food bags available at this time.”

That was it! That’s what my heart wanted to do. Fill those pantry shelves until they’re overflowing! Could I do this alone? No. I need help. The biggest question was could I break out of my comfort zone of the quite one and become a leader? Yes, but only with God's guidance.

I had this idea of having a table set up in front of a local grocery store collecting non-perishable food donations. Then the idea grew to having one specific day and time where each grocery store in our city {all 5} would have a team of volunteers out front hosting a food drive. The thoughts went through my head... Could I pull this off? Can I find volunteers? Will people donate?

YES to every single question. We were approved for 4 of the 5 grocery stores since one already booked for the day. Then out of the blue, I get the call the other party cancelled and we have their spot. We have all 5!

Volunteers? I created a Facebook event page which went live just yesterday and volunteers have been coming out of the woodwork. People I don't even know asking to help. I have a team of people set up already for each location!


We needed the collection bins. The church two had but we needed at least three more. When I went shopping for them, found out they were $50 a piece. Ouch! That same day I received a call from a couple from our bible study, they had found 10 at a second had store for $1 each. What!? You better believe we bought them all!

I sit here today in aw. Every single obstacle that was set in front of me, God removed the barrier.

As for the donation part, we'll just have to wait and see. With what God has provided so far, I can't even fathom what He has in store. Our event is this Saturday. I ask for prayers. Prayers of encouragement and hope, that people will start a transformation from their old ways, and start a new. Putting others before themselves. We can't get discouraged. We can make a difference one person at a time.

I recall an synonym for the word JOY.

How to be joyful was to put these in this order:

Jesus, then Others, then You.

Jesus should be first in our lives no matter what.

He is our perfect example of how to live our lives.

That is the very definition of being a Christian.

Paul tells us at the beginning of Romans 15 this very thing.

We out to put other ahead ourselves; in doing so we will be emulating the actions of Jesus.


Let's SHINE!

Photo by Rachel Lauren Photography