Day 30 - Reflections
Okay, I will admit it...that's all I've got. I have highlighted most of the programs that I know of and all of the ones that I have close personal experience with and feel that I can definitely recommend you give to. That was what I set out to do, and I am about done. It has been a little harder than I thought it would be; I thought for sure I could get 40 posts out, but I guess not. That's okay though, it's better than the 19 from last year, and I didn't give up, I just ran out. (I am still hoping to get some information on a really terrific group who are doing some special things with serious special needs kids, and I will post that if the information comes to me in time. If not...then next year.) I am not sure how many donations were made, how much was raised or how many children were sponsored. More or less than last year? I don't really know, but the amount isn't mine to control, just the opportunity. If you haven't read all the posts yet, I hope you will do so, and if you haven't read some of the short reflections in "More Thoughts on Lent", I hope you will take a few minutes to do that, too. As we celebrate Palm Sunday and move into Holy Week, I want to leave you with this:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Jesus' race took him to the cross; our race starts there. We can't run our best race while holding onto things that just don't matter. At the cross Jesus was stripped of everything, and yet He kept His eyes on the joy, JOY, set before him. Now that's keeping your eyes on the prize; that's seeing the big picture. That's a sacrifice far greater than any of us have made over these last weeks of Lent, and I hope it inspires you, as it does me, to consider every sacrifice as a step toward JOY.
~ Donna
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Jesus' race took him to the cross; our race starts there. We can't run our best race while holding onto things that just don't matter. At the cross Jesus was stripped of everything, and yet He kept His eyes on the joy, JOY, set before him. Now that's keeping your eyes on the prize; that's seeing the big picture. That's a sacrifice far greater than any of us have made over these last weeks of Lent, and I hope it inspires you, as it does me, to consider every sacrifice as a step toward JOY.
~ Donna