Yesterday I went around thanking the people in the church who rang bells for the Salvation Army. As the compassionate ministry director, I put my time in ringing bells. I rang them with our daughter Anna. It was one of those “you know you are a pastors’ kid” moments. Several of our Senior High students were to help out but found something better to do than ring bells. Anna, being the pastors’ kid had to do no matter what — ok, she enjoyed most of the time there. Any how, back to the story. As I was thanking the people for ringing, they were telling their experience and the things that touched them. Here some of the things that were talked about:
1. Most of those who rang bells this year have lost a job or had financial problems this year.
2. You could tell who were the poorest and they seem to give the most.
3. People were coming up and telling us they were giving because we were willing to stand in the cold, damp weather.
4. They seem to get a joy from God in what they were doing that day, even Anna.
One little funny story has to do with a lady who said to stop ringing that bell, because you’re making me feel guilty. Dale’s friend Mark mentioned that there is something about that bell that just screams, “guilty, guilty, guilty.”
I was telling our daughter Rebecca the experiences I heard from the people and she came up with a question, “Why are the poor and needy willing to give the most when others are in need”? Maybe there is someone who has the answer to that question?
