We just had our 2014 Teen Challenge Christmas party. We provided gift baskets and gift cards for the students and staff at the Greater Cleveland Teen challenge. I wanted to take a minute to thank you all for your participation in this event. It is greatly appreciated. Whether you buy gifts to fill the baskets, spend time wrapping and preparing the baskets, prepare the food for the party and/or attend the party. It is all a blessing to many.
I asked for you to share your favorite memories about the evening with the Northeast Area Girls Ministries Facebook group. This morning I felt prompted to share mine. Aside from the smile I get when I think of the student who was excited about receiving multiple bars of Zest soap that would probably get him through the next 12 months he would be a student at Teen Challenge, I was touched by a brief comment an intern made to me as we were cleaning up. He took the time to share what he remembered attending the party. His comment was that he impacted by the fact that the church family that provided his basket made him feel like a part of their family at the party. I was struck by the realization that, although I am sure he was blessed by the gifts that were presented to him that evening, the gifts he remembers the most were the gifts of time and show of love and support he received from virtual strangers that evening. This picture was NOT of this particular gentleman, but it is a great reminder of what this staff member shared with me. A group of strangers spending time sharing a meal, blessing others and praying with each other.
It is my prayer that during the hustle and bustle of this season that we remember that one of the greatest gifts we can give to others is that gift of TIME!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Crystal
