Murder-Suicide & then Toys

Last week we were in Tallhassee providing toys for disadvantaged families. Over 150 people were served with up to 2 to 3 gifts for each child. We had over $3,000 in toys donated for this toy drive and it was beautiful to the see the smiles on the faces of the parents and the kids. While the cars started to get in line, the pastor of the Tallahassee Seventh-day Adventist Church, where we did the drive-thru toy rally, shared with me about a lady in the community that inherited 5 kids all at once from her friend. He went on to share that her friend was involved in a murder-suicide act where her friend and a mother of 5 kids was killed.

This tragedy happened about a month before Christmas, and no family could take the kids so this lady, which already had 3 children of her own, took in all 5 kids into her home. She was not sure how she would provide a nice Christmas for them, but then she heard about the toy drive. Nevertheless, she wasn't sure if she would go since she didn't think there would be enough toys for her to get for her now 8 kids in the home. She chose to go and was moved not just by the good and quality toys we had nor by the fact she could take 2 to 3 toys per child, but she was moved by the amount of love she experienced from all the volunteers at the church. Shortly after, she wrote the pastor the following email:

"I went by today and your staff insisted that I get as many toys as I needed for my home. We really appreciate y'all. I spoke with your wife and let her know that I came by....I will be able to talk whenever you are available. Thank you again and please thank your staff for me. A very warm welcome from the entrance until we exited out. This brought me some love today."

Our connection with her came from a sad event, but the love she experienced made my heart rejoice. It's even cool that she thought all those people involved in the drive-thru were staff. All of them were volunteers, and reflected the love of Jesus in such a powerful way that the impression left in her heart was deep. This lady came seeking help with toys, and she left with a heart filled with love. Wouldn't it be nice if every person that rode through our path could leave with a heart filled with love? This is why we need to ask ourselves, "What about Love?" in every area of our lives. What if we saw everyone and everything through the eyes of love? I believe if we can do this, we will change lives all around us for the better. People are going through some loneliness, depression, bad circumstances, and darkness, and all they need is some love today. Are you willing to be the "staff" of Jesus and demonstrate His love to a world desperate in need of Him? I hope so. It's time we asked ourselves, "What about Love?"

Below are scenes from the Toy Rally in Tally