Angel Tree starts November 1st!

In the final hours, at the last call, the final child waiting for a warrior was matched!

It was a great feeling to watch the numbers shrink. First 54, then in the 30's, down to 9, 6, 4 children waiting for someone to notice and shout on their behalf.

4 was a scary number, the last 4 children sat stalled after the rapid pace that had been set until, finally, I went to bed and only one child remained.

God spoke, warriors stepped up.

Some of these kids already have grants, although funds towards their 1000 dollar goal don't count until November 1st.
So, warriors sit, wait, and pray for what is to come. Waiting to watch God speak and people move. Perhaps, even families hear the whisper that they need to grow.

I wonder though.

I felt the need to step up and speak for a child who couldn't speak for themselves weeks ago. I waited until this week in the final hours to step forward and say, in a desperate whisper, "I'm here." There is such temptation to think there is too much need, too many children, and perhaps the easiest lie of all - someone else will do it. I wonder though how much we miss out on, how much we rob ourselves by waiting until the last minute or until it's too late.

Honestly, if someone were to offer us front row tickets to the greatest show on earth, be it a performance, a premiere, a concert we'd most likely grab those tickets as fast as our hands could snatch them, in awe of our luck as we claim our prize never minding of any hoops that might need jumping through or conditions that need meeting (thinking of friends who've waited hours for concert tickets at weird hours, or worked extra shifts and sacrificed to make it to a valued event.) However, so often, when our God gives us the opportunity to have front row seats to working out of his plans we shrink back assuring ourselves that someone else would certainly fill our gap or that we surely had to have heard wrong. We convince ourselves our participation, our obedience isn't necessary.

In the end I smile, because so many have heeded the call and stepped up. Over the next few days I look forward to introducing you to the young woman you know see to the right of the screen -Tara and giving some easy ways to help her meet her Angel Tree goal as part of your own holiday celebrations.