A Giving Heart. No Praise Necessary.

Heaven Love Thrift Shop, January 31, 2016

My Grandma Shaffer read the comics out of the morning newspaper to me when I was young. I read the comics to this day. This morning I deviated from my usual comic strips in the Seattle Times, and I explored a new one on the http://www.seattlepi.com/: “Heaven’s Love Thrift Shop which “is a faith-based, Sunday-only feature created by cartoonist Kevin Frank. The strip centers on a community-minded, Christian-run thrift shop, its outreach programs and the diverse people who can be found there.” (Please see: http://comicskingdom.com/heaven-s-love-thrift-shop#about to learn more about “Heaven’s Love Thrift Shop.”)

I reflected about the scripture that the character of “WILSON, the rational and learned director of the thrift shop and its outreach programs” mentioned in the comic from Matthew 6:1-4:

“When you do good deeds, don’t try to show off. If you do, you won’t get a reward from your Father in heaven. 2When you give to the poor, don’t blow a loud horn. That’s what show-offs do in the meeting places and on the street corners, because they are always looking for praise. I can assure you that they already have their reward.” (Contemporary English Version CEV)

I sat in contemplation this morning and wondering if Living Stones Ministries Rock On! should share about our projects after sitting with the scripture. Living Stones Ministries Rock On! giving purpose to seniors through intergenerational activities, where giving back serves others while enriching lives.

During 2015, Living Stones Ministries Rock On! donated more than 400-knitted hats to homeless projects. Our projects are limitless.

A number of seniors throughout the years have said,

"It is time for me to go."

"I ask, "Why."

"I have no purpose."

Once one utilizes their talent to serve others, their purpose is realized. That is the mission of Living Stones Ministries Rock On!

As I continued writing this post, I received an email with photos from my friend, Theresa Van de Ven, who made eleven of the 20-hats unannounced donation to St. James Cathedral’s feeding program at the Cathedral Kitchen for Living Stones Ministries Rock On! for our “Ringing in Warmth for the New Year 2016” program.

I am sharing the photos due to the joy and warmth the photos generated within me. I also plan to tell the stories in hopes others will having a giving heart and offer prayer – especially for the tragic shooting with fatalities that happened last week at a homeless encampment, “The Jungle.” You can read about The Jungle at www.seattletimes.com

I had a resident in her scooter, who decided to wait with me for the number 60 bus. She noticed men, who were wearing the hats we made. I asked her how she felt. “I am ready to make more hats!”

I missed Sunday worship service to share about a comic, scripture, and hats, and I learned more for this experience this morning. It is apparent I am where I need to be, and I understand that I am ready to live Leo Buscaglia’s quote, “Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God”.

I am ready to use by talents, live a purpose as I continue to serve others and make more hats!