My most vivid Christmas memory was coming downstairs to a boom box. I had been hoping for it, but wasn’t sure my parents would tolerate giving their loud child unfettered access to my own music contraption. As soon as I saw it, I dreamed of the hours of fun my future held singing with my favorite artists and my giggly girlfriends.
Years later, as I try to recreate these moments for my own children I realize why I remember the boom box so clearly. This simple moment held some powerful things.
- I felt seen. A gift was selected just for me. It felt known and valued by my parents.
- Hope fulfilled. This was something I wanted, but wasn’t sure I would have.
- A future with community. I couldn’t wait to share it with my friends!
For many of our neighbors – these desires are great and require more than a boom box to fulfill. God uses GraceWorks’ food, shelter, and support programs to help neighbors feel seen, fulfill hope and invite them into the security of a community!
But, what is more incredible, here we get to start with grace. I’ve heard the definition of grace be boiled down to “receiving something you don’t deserve.” Many neighbors believe that about themselves when they come to GraceWorks – that maybe they don’t “deserve” the relief or the treatment they receive here.
Thanks to you and our incredible community, our neighbors learn differently! They get to experience grace of God and be loved by their fellow neighbors.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for whatever role you have played. If you have received services – thank you for trusting us! If you have volunteered, donated, shopped – thank you! It is through this amazing relationship we get to experience the grace of God together.
Merry Christmas and Praise Jesus for His Grace!
– Alicia
P.S. Highlighting the Manger
This week, we have an opportunity to recreate a boom box moment for nearly 2,000 children! December 11 – 13th is our famous Manger program hosted at Franklin First United Methodist Church. Parents and caregivers come to a store-like environment to select gifts for their children.
If you want to participate, check the links below:
- Sponsor a child’s Christmas for $100 – https://www.graceworkstn.org/events/manger/
- Register to receive gifts at the Manger for your family
https://graceworks.my.site.com/neighbor/s/Schedule-Manger-Pick-Up?language=en_US - Volunteer – https://www.graceworkstn.org/volunteer/
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