What can we do to help our family members this season? Pay it forward simply!

Dear Family of Love,

I hope everyone took care this Tuesday especially during our period of rainfall.  Today is Giving Tuesday. What can we do to help our family members this season? How and what can we give along with our prayers ? Well my dear family that is where ingenuity comes in. Here are a list of suggestions that aren't checkbook related. 

Donate clothing to homeless shelters, Goodwill (R) , the Salvation Army, or any thrift shops.
Don't forget about shoes in good condition. 
Donate household items too- make sure everything is in good condition.
See if there are coat drives and unload old but wearable coats.
Donate food to food banks.
Give of your time to many of the organizations that need your help. 
Gather books and magazines and take them to hospital or any place where waiting rooms need reading materials.
Make up Bags of Blessings!

BLESSING BAGS
INGREDIENTS:
Gallon size Ziplock bags
chap stick
packages of tissues
toothbrush and toothpaste
comb
soap
hotel size shampoos
trail mix
granola bars
crackers
pack of gum
band aids
mouthwash
coins or predetermined dollar amount, say 5.00 (could be used to make a phone call, or purchase a food item)
hand wipes
you could also put in a warm pair of socks
a packet rain poncho
tampons (for women)
The ideas could be endless!
Assemble all the items in the bags, and maybe throw in a note of encouragement. Seal the bags and stow in your car and when you see anyone in need give them out. 

++ Pairs of socks, scarves, mittens anything warm. 
Flashlights, umbrellas.
Tarps and rain ponchos.
Note pads and paper and pens and pencils. 

What can you add to this list? Think about it as we meditate and pray tonight. Our meditative music is this:Medieval Christmas

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Let us pray!

God of Hope, as we enter fully into this season of joyful expectation may we be given lenses that show us many things and where you would have us go, and what we are to become. Help us to lay down our worries and fears so that we may wait, watch, pray, and listen to you with open ears, hearts, and spirits.

God of Hope we pray for all of our family members who are in need of hope when they feel hopeless. Help us to bring hope to Your fragile and broken world.

God of Hope we pray for all our family members who are forced to live on the streets and out of doors during the cold weather. We pray that they may find sheltered areas from the winds, cold, rain, and snow. We pray that there may be homeless shelters and warming centers that will meet their needs as we know that one shelter type doesn't fit all.

God of Hope, we pray for our littlest family members who are in children's hospitals and PICU that they may be healed and be able to enjoy the holidays with their families.

God of Hope, we pray for all those who are dying and have died today that they may feel your loving presence and give them hope as they enter the Thin Places.

God of Hope, show us how to help creatively without having to write a check.

God of Hope, we pray for peace in your fragile and broken world. May we truly be blessed as peacemakers and find ourselves as your children. 

God of Hope, we pray for all caregivers that they my find rest and respite. 

God of Hope, we thank you for the gift of rain. May we continue to have more rain to refresh, replenish, and renew your  drought parched earth.

God of Hope, help us to see You in all of our Family of Love's faces and that we may act accordingly and love, honor, and respect each other.

God of Hope, help us to love more fully, care more deeply, comfort with more compassion, and be more accepting  and inclusive of all our family members.

God of Hope help us to console and comfort all who mourn at any stage of grief. Give us courage not to let any of our family members fall through the cracks. 

God of Hope, we pray this night for all refugees, captives, political prisoners, victims of violence and abuse of any kind, victims of human trafficking and slavery. 

God of Hope, we pray for ourselves and on behalf of others remembering especially______________

God of Hope, we offer our thanksgivings remembering especially______________________

God of Hope, we offer these our prayers and thanksgivings in the name of your only begotten son Jesus. Amen.

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Good Night Family of Love!  Do you know why I call you Family of Love? I call you this because God is Love! So we are the Family of Love (God). May our heart, spirits, and souls join together in love, peace, hope, joy, and harmony. I love you and give thanks to God for you this night and always. 

Love, blessings, hope, peace, and joy be always yours!

Sara

A Renaissance Christmas

Medieval Christmas