I have been blessed with the opportunity this year to adopt a family through the Department of Social Service’s Holiday Hope 
2012 program. Prior to making that decision, I had been questioning the effectiveness of my impact on a family in need. Would I be able to do enough to make a difference? Would I be able to purchase the types of gifts they were looking to receive? And selfishly wondering, “Would I still be able to provide for my family while I’m trying to aid in providing for someone else’s?”
Well, today I had the pleasure of speaking with the mother of the children whom I selected. I realized in that very moment that I never selected her; God placed her with me. I don’t know if I blessed her through our conversation, but I do know that she blessed me. She’s a young, single mother of two girls who just want to see her children smile on Christmas Day. If no more than for one day, maybe she’ll be able to forget that the rent still has to be paid, or there is no bread in the pantry or milk in the refrigerator.
I took a moment and thought to myself, ” What would I do if the roles were reversed?” At any point in time, that could be me going through a financial hardship. Wouldn’t I want someone to take time to notice me as they walk to their BMW to put shopping bags in the trunk, only to turn right back around and shop some more? So, whether or not I am able to provide everything their little hearts desire is yet to be seen; however, if I can do nothing else, it will be to bring peace and comfort to their current situation now, and for as long as the mother allows me to assist them.
What if God treated our gifts and blessings like unused minutes on a cell phone plan; use them or lose them? Would we then pay it forward?
REMEMBER! It doesn’t cost a dime to show someone love, and let them know that they’re not traveling the road they’re on alone.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4
