Weekend Challenge

"They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."  1 Timothy 6: 18-19

As the weekend approaches, those of us who have jobs look forward to a few days off.  Those of us who have kitchens full of food look forward to a night out at a restaurant.  Those of us with children look forward to spending time with our families at the baseball and soccer fields.  Those of us who were not devastated by the force of nature two weeks ago, in other words, are getting on with our lives as normal.

All around us, though, are families who were devastated by the storms of 4-27-11.  Daddies have lost their jobs because their business was blown away.  Mommies don't know what to cook because just before the storm, they spent all their grocery money filling the refrigerator and freezer, and then they had to throw it all away after days without power.  Children who once played weekend sports no longer can because there is no extra gas money in the family budget for all those trips to town, and Mommy and Daddy are too busy anyway trying to clean up all those trees that fell in the yard or on their house.

What is "normal" for these families?  Will they ever feel "normal" again, ever look forward to a Friday night meal out at a restaurant again?  How many months will it take to find a new job?  How will they make the ends meet in the meantime?  How will they survive now that they have "survived" this storm?

This weekend, I challenge you to do something a little different.  Gather your family together and go spend a few hours with a family affected by the storm.  Just show up with your chainsaw, rakes, and garbage bags and help them clean up their yard.  Don't call first--they will tell you they are "fine" and don't need the help, but they will love you for helping.  Invite some friends over who have lost their job and feed them a great meal, or take them out to eat your treat.

If you live out of state and cannot do any of these things, accept our weekend challenge this way:  instead of spending your money on a meal out at a restaurant, donate the amount you would have spent to Central Church of Christ via Paypal at http://www.central-churchofchrist.com/.  One hundred percent of the donations we are receiving towards Tornado Relief are going to the people who need our help.  We are using this money to help them pay their rent, their utility bills, and their grocery bills.  Tell your family why you are donating the money instead of going out to eat, and then stop and pray together as a family for your Christian family living in areas impacted by the storms.  Your prayers will sustain and uplift, and our Father will continue to provide the comfort and reassurance they so desperately need. 

May God bless you all--have a great weekend!