Tell Us Your Story…
On March 16th Pastor Hershel challenged Sonlight Church to go out into the community and bless others by buying gas, food, pay for someone else’s meal, etc. Post a comment at the bottom of this page and tell us how you were able to bless someone in the community. See how God was moving with this challenge! Be sure and visit Sonlight Church’s website for all the latest happenings.
March 14, 2008 at 7:16 pm
We had the joy of giving away a grocery gift card tonight. We had been praying about what we could do with this challenge and we decided that when we went grocery shopping, we would anonymously give a grocery gift card to a person checking out beside us. We both saw a husband and wife checking out next to us at the grocery store. They had two little children. I went over to the manager of the store and asked if she would give the gift card we purchased to the family in aisle 5 that was checking out. I told her to not let them know who was giving it, but that it was a gift.
Just as they were finishing scanning their last items, the manager walked over and with the gift card and told her that it was a gift from someone. The mother smiled and said, “Wow! That’s a great deal!”
It was so fun to be a fly on the wall and see the reactions. We are pumped and ready to continue making some noise in this city for God’s glory!
March 15, 2008 at 6:48 pm
There is a couple here in Chesapeake who have decided to serve God full-time and work for Young Life, an organization that is dedicated to reaching middle and highschoolers for Christ. While interning here in Chesapeake, their home is almost always a hub of activity, open for Bible studies, college leaders planning sessions, and sometimes just providing a comfortable/safe environment for high school youth to “hang out.” His salary is very small as a first year intern and providing snacks and meals for them allows them to have some refreshments for these students without dipping into funds they don’t really have. They are a very dedicated couple who only recently married and is very evident that Christ is the center of their lives. We are very fortunate to have them serving with Young Life in our community. They were very thankful for the assistance and when told of Sonlight’s involvement, were impressed with the concept and appreciative that we had selected them to receive this gift.
March 15, 2008 at 7:48 pm
God has blessed us so abundantly. We were so glad to be a blessing to someone tonight. We met a married lady who has been a waitress for 17 years and has two young children. It was so cool to bless someone and then let them know that it was all because they matter to God. I pray that through this gift, she will turn her eyes heavenward and just thank God for His provision and blessing. What an awesome feeling to love others and be unselfish! Thank you Jesus!
March 17, 2008 at 11:02 am
We just took Carter to get his haircut and the girl didn’t seem as though she was having a very good day. Andy and I looked at each other and had the same thing on our mind. Andy went to the car and got one of our envelopes. We blessed her with a nice tip which I am sure she didn’t even notice until after we left. I just LOVE this! I am so excited about it and can’t wait to bless more people. We have been praying about who is next!
March 19, 2008 at 6:15 pm
My daughter was the recipient of one of your wonderful gifts today. She works very hard at the drive-thru window of a fast food restaurant (we all know what a thankless job that can be). A regular customer, a gentleman, and his two children visited her today. Upon receiving his order, he handed her an envelope. She was not able to open it until she finished work today. Making just enough to keep gas in her car to travel to and from work and handle a car payment, she was extremely thankful. She generally sees him at least once a week, but until she does next time, she wants him to know how thankful she is. Thank you for your wonderful gesture.
March 19, 2008 at 9:21 pm
I’ve been praying for the past week for God to show me who He wanted me to bless this week. As I’ve been praying, I was led to buy a gas card today. With the rising cost of gasoline, I thought, “I sure would love to be given a gas card,” so I felt like it was what I was supposed to do. As I was in line to buy the card I was looking around and praying for God to let me know who I was to give it to. A lady came in and I was praying about giving it to her when the cashier handed her her change and she left the store. I guess it wasn’t her. Then a young boy with $10 in his hand came in behind me. I thought, “He must be the one,” but as I was buying the gas card he got impatient in waiting and left the store! I finally got the card and walked outside looking around for someone God wanted me to bless. I just didn’t feel led to anyone. I went home and had lunch and then went back to the gas station again. I still didn’t feel led to a certain person. I went back to the station a third time around 5:30 in the evening and had been praying throughout the afternoon that God would show me the right person. As I was pulling in, a guy in an old Dodge pick-up pulled in right ahead of me. I thought, “This is it!” I followed him around to the other side of the store and as he got out of his truck, I walked over to him and handed him the gift card, along with the Sonlight card, and said, “I would like to bless you today with a gas card.” He was stunned. The look on his face was complete disbelief. I repeated again, “I want you to take this gift card and use it for your gas. There’s $40 on it.” He couldn’t believe it. He was truly speechless. I said, “This is just because you matter.” He smiled and said thank you and I went back to my car, smiling. As I was driving away, he was still standing outside looking dumbfounded and just waved at me and smiled. What an awesome feeling to bless him in that way! I left thinking, “God, that was amazing. Show me what to do next!” May this truly be the catalyst for all of us to live generous lives!
March 20, 2008 at 8:54 am
I was so excited after church on Sunday, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I told my husband what was on my heart and we were both excited and knew that was what I should do. I couldn’t wait. My youngest daughter Maiya goes to an after school day care and so alot of times when I am picking Maiya up I usually run into this particular mom who looks to be maybe in her early 20’s. She easily stands out because she has twins that are infants so with two babies in carriers, two diaper bags, a purse and anything else in hand, it’s always a task getting to the car. Other then that I didn’t know her story, I always wondered whether she was a single parent, did she have any help. I just felt this compassion for her, so I went and talked to the center director and told her that this woman had been been on my mind and I wanted help her in some kind of way. So I sat down with the director and told her I wanted to pay her daycare for the week. The director was so excited she said I don’t even know anything about your church and this is such a blessing. She proceded to tell me that she is married but her husband is over in Iraq and somedays she really has a hard time. She doesn’t have alot of family and she knew this would really be good for her. That just made my day. We were both emotional and I knew right then that God had sent me the right person. I left a liitle note for her along with the card and she will be receiving it today. I’m excited and I can’t wait for what God has in store next.
March 21, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Jay and I have been talking about what to do with our “blessing” this week, and as usual we had different opinions (hard to believe, I know!). So we split it into 20/20. I decided to put my money in an envelope along with the Sonlight card and note that said. “If this small token of love and fellowship touched you today..let us know!” and I left this website address. As I was out and about today I had to stop at the Hospital, and walking through the parking lot I spotted a car that looked like it had seen better days with child safety seats in it, toys etc. I tucked the envelope under the windshield wiper and left, praying that the person who found it would feel the hand of God in that small gesture. So I have no idea who got it, but I do know I was blessed today! On Jay’s part, he used his half for a man who came into his shop today and needed an inspection but was really in need of a financial boost, Jay payed for his inspection. It really makes you stop and think how blessed we really are, and just how much we sometimes take for granted.
March 21, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Today I was blessed by God leading me to a young man to be in his late 20’s.. I had stopped at Wawa for a milkshake and there this guy was on his cell phone saying he has lost his wallet and he had gotten gas and needed to get to Roanoke to pick up his daughter. I went into Wawa never even thinking about the gift that I had until I was in the checkout line and God spoke. I said ok, if this guy is still outside this is who I’m supose to help. Sure enough he was still standing trying to reach anyone that would pick up on the other end. I walked up to him and told him that I had overheard his plea and that I wanted him to have a blessed day.. He said you do not have to do this and I told him I know this, but I wanted him to have a blessed day anyway. As I drove away I could see him looking in the envelope and his jaw fell to the ground. God is so good and I felt so touched all day by this giving act that God led me to.
March 21, 2008 at 8:52 pm
We think this is a great idea~ but Jeff & I have had different ideas on what to do with our gifts. I thought we should split it $20/$20. but after reading the response above about the lady from the drive thru I was very happy that Jeff didn’t agree with me. Him & the kids are the ones that gave the envelope to the lady at the drive-thru & I am very happy to see that she needed it & how happy she was! We have also left large tips for 2 waitresses at different restaurants this week! This is a wonderful thing for us to do in our community~ I hope everyone continues to make such a joyous noise!
March 22, 2008 at 9:37 am
This was amazing!
When Hershel asked us to match the first gift, I ran through my clients for the week and the bills to pay, and wondered if it was possible. Well, we know all things are possible with God…so in faith took an additional $20 and set about searching for the person God wanted me to bless with what He had given me. The search itself was the most intriguing!
Honestly, I wanted to run out right after chuch and grab the first person I saw and hand them the money and card…and almost did! I saw a man who is always on his bicycle around Great Bridge…but didn’t get a signal from the Big Guy. I searched gas stations, saw a construction crew (4 of them) on the side of the road who looked hungry, and although I wanted to hand the blessing over…I sensed the need to be patient.
One of my client’s sister has Cerebral Palsy. My heart hurts for her each time I speak with her, although she is one of the most pleasant persons I know. I left the money on the table as I left with a note to use the money for herself, or for her Cerebral Palsy walk she is participating in, in April…however she wanted to use this blessing. She left me a message thanking me for the money.
When I got my hair cut Friday, the lady cutting it was the sister of my regular girl who was out on maternity leave. I had never met her before, and we got to talking. They work right across from Jason’s Deli in Greenbrier and I asked if she had eaten there before. She said a couple times…but she can’t really afford to eat out a lot like the other girls who do that every day! We also talked about Sonlight and what an amazing church it is…jeans and all! God put her on my heart, and as I paid for my haircut and gave her a tip, I also handed her the $20 with the card and said to go out and have lunch and to be blessed. I swear she had a tear in her eye…said thank you and I walked out praising God for that opportunity.
I don’t want to stop doing this…and pray God would put it on my heart each week to bless someone with what He has so generously given me. It’s not my money anyway…it’s His and I’m the manager!!!
March 22, 2008 at 11:08 am
Jason and I just finished Financial Peace University and God has blessed us beyond belief, so when we were given our challenge on Sunday, we knew this was our turn to give back. Jason and I, along with our oldest son Shea, went to see an Easter Production last night and decided to go have dinner after the show. It was nice to just have Shea with us, Josh spent the night with Granmama and Pop, and be able to talk to him about what Hershel had asked us to do. Throughout the dinner, Shea was looking all around trying to find who we should give the money to. I must say, here we were trying to bless someone else, and Jason and I received a blessing by being able to watch the excitement in Shea’s eyes. Anyway, we finished dinner and Shea asked if he could give the money and the card to our waitress. We said yes, and Shea walked over and handed her the gift and said “God bless you.” It was so awesome to see the unselfishness in Shea’s eyes and to see the excitement of our waitress. She was definitely surprised to receive this gift in addition to her regular tip!! This is an absolutely amazing opportunity and we can not wait to see what God has in store. I do know that this opportunity will not end with the 20/20 challenge. What a blessing to be a part of such an amazing group of believers. Sonlight is most definitely home for our family!!!
March 23, 2008 at 6:23 am
God is amazing. Before last Sunday God had spoke to me about helping out a young man financially that shared his troubles with me. He was forced out of his parents house because he did not want to follow their religious convictions. Like most young people his age he didn’t have an Emergency Fund ( plug for Financial Peace class ). He also shared that he had some outstanding bills to pay in order to be able to get a room or apartment. I shared this story with my parents and they shared it with my grandmother. They started praying for the young man and his situation as well.
After Hershel’s message Sunday we all grabbed envelopes. They approached me about putting our envelopes together because the need was bigger than one envelope.
I gave the young man the envelope Friday and I believe he was speechless. I told him that he was receiving the gift because he mattered to God. I can hope that God will not only use this gift to bless him but also show him there is a God that loves him as well.
I have received so many blessings from so many people in my life and the feeling of receiving a gift is almost but not quite equal to the feeling of being obedient to God and giving to others. It’s amazing……….
March 23, 2008 at 7:45 pm
I am a origional member of Sonlight church and moved away 8 years ago this June. I watch Hershel’s messages as often as I can and recently saw his 20/20 challenge. I was moved by the thought of reaching out and blessing people for God’s glory. This past week I took two opportunities to bless someone. First my grown daughter has a friend that I have meet only a couple of times that just had a baby, they are struggling to make their bills since she has been out of work several months due to her pregnancy. I sent her a card with a Target gift card enclosed. My daughter Tara told me today that she got it yesterday and how suprised they were to recieve the gift in the mail and said it ment so much to them.
The second thing I choose to do was a friend at work who is a christain was having a very stressful week then her brother was involved in a motorcycle wreck and she had to take off work to help him and his family. She had to take him to a doctor’s appointment and missed our staff Easter egg hunt, so I got a easter egg and placed money into it and gave it to her the next day, just because she matters to God. It blessed her and me both.
I will be looking for ways to continue to show people they matter to God. Thanks Sonlight for reaching all the way to Raleigh, NC to reach people here for Christ!
March 24, 2008 at 9:50 am
Thank you for the community outreach. I purchased three $30 Food Lion certificates and gave them to needy people.
March 24, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Deena and I had the opportunity to bless another person a few nights ago. We decided to give another huge tip to a young lady and let her know that she matters to God. It’s such a wonderful feeling to just give to someone just because they matter to God. What if this is the one thing that helps her see the amazing love that God has for her? Even if she doesn’t see God’s love, being a generous person is certainly making me more concerned for people and less concerned for things. God is the blessor, I am the blessed, and He wants me to be a blessing. Let’s keep making some noise!
March 25, 2008 at 8:21 am
Last night my husand and I went out to dinner on a date of sorts beings the kids were away for Spring Break and because we were able to go somewhere without ordering a “Happy Meal”, we figured this doesn’t come often so we should take advantage of it. The hostess was directing us to our seats when she walked past the girl who was going to be our waitress and said “This table is yours anyway, you deserve it”. Not knowing exactly what she was referring to I didn’t pay much attention to it. After the waitress came over and took our drink order a fellow waiter walked up to her and apologized for not returning a call that she had made earlier. Our waitress responded “That’s okay, I had to go out and buy more minutes for my phone, I came here and then they asked me to close tonight. It kind of stinks because the kids are out on Spring Break”.
Right then I knew that this was my girl. Just from hearing a few sentences like that, I assumed that she was a single Mom who was hungry for extra hours and was willing to give up time with her kids just to make some extra money. I left a $20.00 tip on the bill with my debit card and the $20.00 cash along with the card letting her know that she mattered to God.
Going in to this I wanted a really great story to tell. In the end I realized that when the waitress went in to close out our ticket and sees the $40.00 tip and the card saying she mattered to God she may take just 2 minutes to reflect the name of Jesus and what he could do for her. And that, in my opinion, is the whole point of this challenge.
Thank you Pastor for giving us the opportunity to serve and teaching us how.
March 25, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Last night I went grocery shopping at Wal-Mart. I don’t usually go there but needed some items that only they supply. In any case, I was going through the store and I noticed a young lady who was shopping and taking as long as me to find the items she needed (I was there for about an hour and a half). I didn’t think anything of it at the time, I just figured she was going down each ailse like me! When I finally got to the check out line I was loading the groceries on the counter not really paying any attention to who was in front of me. I heard the cashier ask the person if they were going to get a certain item in which she replied “I need to see how much my total is first”. I kept placing items on the counter then I realized….this person doesn’t have the money to buy all their grocieries (Thank you Lord for taking me out of my own world and becoming aware of what was going on in front of me). I looked up and it was the young lady I had been passing in the ailses earlier. I asked her if she was having problems getting all her grocieries? She hesitated and said, “I’m okay”. I said, I have something for you and handed her the envelope that has been in my purse for a week. She said, “I can’t take that from you”. I said yes you can, I have been waiting for a week to find the person to give this to and I am sure it is you. She took the envelope and thanked me…then gave me a hug. I don’t know her story but I felt the Lord prompting me to give the envelope to her and I am sure she really needed it.
I checked out and when I got to the car called Bobby crying. I can’t tell you how wonderful it felt to help someone in need. Bobby said, now I know why you went shopping at Wal-Mart!! God is Good all the time!!
Thank you Hershel for inspiring us to do this, I plan on making this a habit every payday!
March 25, 2008 at 8:28 pm
The Lord put it on my heart to bless my hairdresser, who is someone very dear to my heart. She is a single mother with two kids at home, and she struggles to make ends meet. I decided to give her the contents of two envelopes (mine and my husband’s), and of course matched both gifts. She was very surprised when I handed her the envelope, and I didn’t let her open it until I was out the door. It was several days later that I heard from a mutual friend of ours that the gift was given in perfect timing, as our hairdresser friend had cried on her shoulder the day just prior to that gift, saying that she had to let some bills go in order to buy groceries for her children. Thank you Lord for your perfection and provision!
March 25, 2008 at 9:29 pm
I just want to say that I was so excited about this challenge. I didn’t realize how difficult this was going to be for me. I had to pray and really think about why I was struggling to find my perfect person to receive this gift. Then it came to me I was struggling because I have never spread the word of God to anyone and I was preparing to for the first time and I was very anxious. I have just started my journey trying to find my way to the Lord and this church has spoken to me. Thanks to my close friends Donna and Bruce Bossuot who have always encouraged me through out my life now they have encouraged me to find true peace in my heart with Sonlight and Pastor Hershel.
So with that being said here is my story
. Donna and I had been shopping and we decided tonight is the night to bless someone. We went to Walmart and I noticed the pharmacy was still open and understand the strain of medical cost. I saw a couple standing there waiting for thier prescription and watched as the insulin was put on the counter and that was God’s way of saying ok this is it because I am a diabetic also. As they left the counter I approached them and said that my church has challenged us to show people in our community that they matter to God and tonight I want you to know that you matter to me and God. The gentleman gave me a big hug and thanked me and I reminded him that this is from God not me I am just his messenger tonight.
March 28, 2008 at 1:47 pm
So we decided after a long day of work and 3 hours of running around after that, it was almost 10:00 and we had not had dinner. We were both very tired and decided to stop off at a restaurant. We went in and they were actually a little busy but we were seated right away, so we sat and waited for our server, and waited for our server, and waited for our server. Mike said how long our you going to wait to say something. I said I’m going to wait a few more minutes and then I will, but as soon as the next person came buy Mike motioned for her and asked what the deal was. Normally I am the one that speaks up (imagine that) but I was to tired. So we waited a little while longer finally a young lady came over very apologetic and proceeded to tell us that the guy that was working this section had just up and left and so now we were hers on top of 3 other tables that were not hers and then her regular section. She looked exausted and really overwhelmed. At that moment I thanked god for having a patience that night because normally I don’t but there was a reason. We ended up having the best service we had ever had at that restaurant. She out did herself even though she was tired and ready to just go home. We were finally able to talk to her for a few minutes and she told us that she was pretty worn out and just wanted to get home to her 2 yr old. She told us that she had been out of work for the past week due to some problems but was able to get in one day of work to make some money. Of course the whole time she was talking to us my mind is just going 20 miles a minute and all I could think about is the enveolpe in my purse. I could not get to it fast enough. God is so good. I had not even thought about the envelopes going in there, but god quickly brought it to my mind. After she walked away I looked at Mike and I didn’t even have to say anything, he just said go ahead. So we paid our bill along with a big tip and left the card for her. As we were leaving we saw her pick it up and put it in her pocket but I guess she decided to take it back out to see what we gave her. Next thing she did was run back towards us and she proceded to thank us and had a smile that we really had not seen all night. What a great ending to a long and stressful day. God always amazes me and continues to teach us everyday. Not only were we able to bless someone tonight, but god is teaching me lessons as well. Patience.
March 29, 2008 at 10:47 am
Well here goes. A few months ago during one of our S3 events I was given a riding lawn mower that did not work. After messing with if for a few days (I’m not that mechanical) I got it fixed. It actually cut better than the one I own. Anyway I stuck it behind my shed and covered it up. So Wednesday Vickie said something to me about the mower, was it running etc. I said of course it is so she proceeded to tell me the story of her unsaved friend at work who needs a lawn mower. WHAM! POW! ZAP! here we go. So yesterday we took the mower all fixed, and cleaned up over to her house. I gave her the key to the mower and the little red card our of our envelope. The card says it all by the way. She was so excited. She hugged our necks, thanked us 100 times and took off on the mower to make sure it worked. Of course it did. Anyway this blessing was exactly what we were hoping for. By the way the total to get the mower on the road(grass) was almost $40.00 to the penny. What a small price to pay to bless someone today. Did I mention that she is interested in coming to our Next S3 event WITH her boys? GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME. Come on Folks. Make Some Noise.
March 30, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Well for the past couple of weeks Donna has been looking for the perfect person to Bless with our money and card. Needless to say she was having a difficult time finding this person. I told her that it did not need to be the perfect person just keep her mind and eyes open and it would happen. We decided to go out to lunch after Church and I told her today was the day perfect or not we were going to Bless someone. At the restaurant we started talking to the waitress about her life. (If she was in school, what she was studying and so forth) Our daughter was like why are you asking her so many questions and we explained that we were going to Bless the waitress with our envelope. Come to find out our waitress attends Old Dominion University where she is studying to be a teacher. Donna and I both graduated from ODU and work for Chesapeake Public Schools. So we decide to Bless her with our envelope. This is only the beginning of many Blessings to come!
March 31, 2008 at 7:12 am
We used the money and cards to give two deserving moms in our neighborhood a night out. We have a neighbors who are single moms who could definitely use a boost, both financially and spiritually. We’re going to have to round up a couple more cards, cause we still haven’t blessed all of the single moms in our own neighborhood.
March 31, 2008 at 12:07 pm
When we first took this challenge, I felt God telling me I would be blessing someone I know personally. I kept reading everyone’s entries feeling guilty that I had not had the opportunity to follow through with my challenge. I kept praying asking the Lord to send someone. Yesterday after church I had to do a few errands before Dan left for work. When I finally got home I decided to sit and rest for a few minutes. As I was sitting on the couch, I picked up the phone and scrolled through the caller ID to see if anyone had called. There was a number that I didn’t recognize and they had not left a message. I ask Keifer if someone had called and he said oh yea your niece called. This particular niece never calls me. After asking a few more questions, I realized that it wasn’t my niece who had called it was someone else we knew with the same name. I called the number back and sure enough it wasn’t my niece. She told me she wondered if Keifer told me she had called. I hadn’t heard from this person for some time. Over the last four months, I have called her several times to let her know I was thinking of her and it there was anything she needed to call me. The last two times I called I left messages but she didn’t return my call. I knew she was pulling away from the people who care about her. Even though there is a 20 year age difference, over the years we had built a bond with one another. A lot of the things she struggles with I struggled with when I was her age. So we talked for a while she told me where she was living and what was going on in her life. I was so glad she finally called me. Before we hung up, she asked if I could do her a favor. She asked if I could loan her some money until she got paid. At this point, it didn’t matter that she called to borrow money because I had told her in the past that if she needed anything to call me. The time had come…. she needed my help. When I hung up the phone, I immediately got confirmation that this was the person I was to bless. I went to the bank and on the way back I stopped and bought a beautiful card to tell her I love her and that even though she is struggling, God is always there for her. I slipped a “Because you matter” card inside with a note to say this was a gift because “SHE” matters.
April 1, 2008 at 6:41 pm
I have been so excited about this challenge! I’ve been praying for several weeks and asking God to show me who he wanted me to bless. Well, God spoke to me yesterday and today about one of my co-workers. I was in a tutoring meeting yesterday and heard this person say that she had tutored afterschool before, but that once she had her son she wasn’t going to tutor again. She said that because of her recent divorce, she was needing extra money to make ends meet. By the way, her son is a special needs child. Anyway, I heard what she had said but didn’t think much of it. Every night and every morning I have been praying for God to show me “the one”. This morning as I was driving to work I was praying for God to show me who……and then this person’s name and face came right to me. I couldn’t wait… I went into school, put the money, the Sonlight card, and a small note that read…because you matter to God in an envelope and put it in her school mailbox and went to my classroom. Within about 15 minutes, I had to pass her room to go and get my students off of the bus. As I passed her room, she saw me and said “Amy, is this from you?” and pointed to the envelope on the table. I shook my head No, but I’m not a good liar. She said, “Well, You’re the only one that I know that goes to this church.” I said, “yes, it’s from me, but I hadn’t wanted you to necesarily know that.” Anyway, she said, “You didn’t have to do that, but Thank You so much. Then she said “Is this from you or your church?” I said both! Needless to say….I had a wonderful Tuesday!!
April 2, 2008 at 9:18 pm
My wife and I were blessed the other day while having dinner at Texas Roadhouse. Once a week we go out on a date night. This happened to be our night. We were seated in a back corner of the restaurant. Sometime between our appetizer and entree a very nice lady, I believe her name is Debbie, came up and blessed us with an envelope. She said it would bless our little family. My wife opened it while “Debbie” was still at the table and we were both floored and left speechless. We both hugged the nice lady and she went on her way. Both my wife and I read the card and looked all over the envelope to try and get more information. We couldn’t wait to get home so we could look up this website and see what it was all about. We came home and read over the entire site. It was nothing short of amazing to read the stories. I have to be honest we have been planning on posting but have waited to see if “Debbie” would post before us. We kind of wanted to see why God led her to us. We figured it was because my wife is almost 9 months pregnant. We have had many discussions since then on how she found us. We were in the hardest to see table in the entire restaurant. We also discuss almost nightly how blessed we have been in our lives. We try to give all that we can to people and have been blessed in return. It is almost like it almost always does a big circle. Of course we don’t do it for this reason. Well the full reason we are posting today is to say Thank You and let “Debbie” know that we are using the money to open a savings account for our soon to be little girl. We also plan on letting little Carson know that the savings account was opened because God loves her. We plan to tell her the story some day. Thank You “Debbie.” Thank You Sonlight Church and God bless all of you for what you are doing.
April 4, 2008 at 10:53 pm
It’s kind of sad that it has taken us this long to finally use the envelopes provided at church, but I have to say that it was well worth the wait! I have breakfast with a couple of students every Thursday morning. On this past Thursday, we went to a new place for breakfast, the Broken Egg. That morning, I was talking to the Lord, and He reminded me of the envelope. I was so excited to see what opportunity God would provide that morning to be a blessing to another. As we were eating breakfast, I couldn’t help but notice that our waitress seemed down. I began to ask God if this would be the person that He wanted me to bless. After asking several times (my own Gideon moment!) it was very obvious that I was to give this money to the waitress. I added some of our own money to the tip, and left without really knowing how this money blessed her. What I do know is that it was an incredible experience, and it was also great to share that experience with some students and to see their reactions as well. God is using this whole movement in such a powerful way! Keep it up Sonlight! God does amazing things when we give!
And to the waitress, I hope that you see that this money is just a small representation of such an incredible God who loves you so very much!
April 7, 2008 at 9:55 am
As most of you have gotten to know Liz and I, we hardly agree on anything …. which makes for a more eventfull and growing life. If you had read Liz’s earlier entry ….. she and I decided that we would split up our gift … and give it separately. This morning a woman that I have known since I starting working here over 4 years ago …. came in asking how much a service cost ….. and did we have any coupons ….. this lady has never asked me that question, ever … it was always …. here’s my keys .. do what needs to be done. So after writing her up … I asked her how things were going …. only to find out … that she’s going through a nasty divorce …. losing her job …. trying to live on what little bit her husband gives her …… she only had a $100 left to put food on the table, for her and her 2 children …. and gas in the car. And with that she was also figuring in what a service was going to cost …… which between the service and gas would have probably eaten up more than $100 ….. so …. after we finished servicing the car … I paid for it ….. and at the same time ….. gave her a CD of Maggie Row …. a girl that I have been recording in my studio …… it’s all music of faith … in fact the CD is titled “I Find Faith” ….. along with that wrote the web address for our church …. along with the physical address and phone # …. hopefully as she listens to the CD ….. God may touch her heart
April 8, 2008 at 12:01 pm
I had to laugh as I read about husbands and wives disagreeing on who should receive the blessing. This is why I’m writing to you today instead of the day we took the envelope. But what Hershel said last Sunday really got me into gear. There was no way I was going to pass this opportunity up! My family and I went out to eat after Sunday’s service. We couldn’t agree where to go (imagine that!) so we ended up at a buffet where everyone could pick and choose to their heart’s desire. As soon as I looked into the waitress’s eyes, I knew she was the one. I got so excited and exclaimed to Steve, “She’s the one! I just know it!” I waited for him to agree, the whole time praying that he would see what I did. After she came back and offered him coffee before he even asked, he smiled and gave the thumb’s up. I literally ran to the car and retrieved the envelope. Steve added to the amount and when it was time to leave, gave her the gift and card. We turned around and left before there was a chance for her to look. As we were walking out (no doubt with huge smiles on our faces) Gena says to me, “Don’t worry mom, you’ll get your Disney channel response some other time.” I laughed out loud because I already had something better.
April 9, 2008 at 1:22 pm
I have been meaning to post my story on this site- I’m glad I finally got the chance to read the stories and tell my own. Good job Sonlight on spreading the love
I really felt that i should split my gift into 2. One morning, I woke up with this particular coffee shop drive through in my head, and just couldnt get it off my mind. So i stopped for a latte, and dropped a large tip and one of the cards into the barista’s jar when she wasnt looking. I drove away grinning, and i hope it lifted some of the stress i saw on her face.
The next week, i was in Georgia visisting family. The other half of the gift was bugging me- i had no idea who to give it too, and kept praying that the opportunity would present itself. So in a little beauty parlor in the georgia mountains was a doantion box for a teen boy that was going on a mission trip to africa. I dont know why, but he was the one i was waiting for. maybe it was the memories of my life-changing trip to africa… i dont know. but i put everything i had with me in that box, and felt great about it. he will know that even a random church several states away is connected to him in hope and prayer.
When i got home from my trip, it was time to get back to reality, and face the difficulties of my own situation. i had no money, had just lost a week’s pay, and was trying to figure out how i was going to feed my daughter and me for a month with nothing but the canned goods my grandfather had shoved in the trunk of my car. ever tried to meal plan for 4 weeks around kidney beans, diced tomatoes and one sprouting onion???? not fun.
so immagine the surprise, and thankfulness when i checked my mail and saw that someone out there had chosen to share their blessing with ME! In the mail was two food lion gift cards and one of the “because you matter” cards. I was so relieved, I cried. This meant $10 a week in produce- we would eat! and then maybe 4 days later, in the mail was another gift card. I was stunned. And so grateful for it when i went grocery shopping this weekend. Between those 3 cards, i had been gifted with the entire week’s food and household budget.
So thank you Sonlight for looking around and seeing others in your community! And thank you to whoever my mystery angels were. It was such a wonderful way for God to show me that he hasn’t forgotten about us. I needed that reminder!
God Bless
April 12, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Kendra and I were out shopping for the Women’s Retreat and stopped to have lunch. As we were sitting there, a lady walked in and asked if we had any change so that she could get something to eat. Kendra and I were able to bless her with a little more than change and it was a great feeling. She was able to get something to eat and was very appreciative.
April 22, 2008 at 5:33 am
We were having lunch after church Sunday and as has become our custom, we blessed the waitress with a 30% tip. We were all out of Sonlight cards so I wrote on the bottom of the reciept where the tip was, “Because you matter to God.”
June 27, 2008 at 7:52 pm
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