This year I decided to write out a What I'd Love for Christmas list, because I'm nothing if not practical. Due to a limited budget and a family with an affinity for purchasing oddly patterned cardigans and Items I Never Knew I Wanted, the existence of such a list decreased the margin of error.
My list included simple things, like a plethora of books on writing from which to choose. Dark chocolate. The One-Year Chronological Bible. Lotion. But the item that made it to the #1 slot of my list was something I could hardly fathom, and I wasn't at all sure it was within our budget.
So, when my daughter's gift landed in my lap on Christmas morning, I had no idea that she'd read the list I handed to her daddy. I had no idea that she had withdrawn money from her small savings account-money she'd earned working as a foreground extra in a movie (and for which she was paid minimum wage).
Opening the box, I shifted white tissue to find a home-made card containing cash. It read simply: Amount: $75. Purpose: To free one child from bondage. From Emily. Merry Christmas!
And just like that, a child's life was about to change. My heart swelled. My eyes watered. I hugged my precious daughter, then looked her in the eyes. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Yes, mom. I'm sure," she grinned.
Somewhere, a child in this world weeps. Frightened, hopeless, and alone, they are enslaved, their bodies used by unscrupulous men void of pity and the fear of God. Some young boys are forced to serve as soldiers. Many young children work unthinkable jobs for no pay.
My heart grieves for these precious kids devoid of even the slighest hope. Everything in me wants to swoop in to rescue and protect them. Thanks to my sweet daughter, one child will experience the gift of freedom, love, and hope.
To learn more, visit Samaritan's Purse Gift Catalog. Please know I am not affiliated with Samaritan's Purse and have not been asked to endorse them. I'm just a mom and a grammy who wants to make a difference.
I'm thinking you might be, too.
