Santa's Cause

I am changed.  I have had children in my home who have come from horrific circumstances.  Some have stayed only a night; others a few weeks.  I know of needs in my community and try my best to meet them.  If I am not able to meet the needs I solicited the help of others.  I consider myself a giving person.  If I have it and you need it, you’re welcome to it.  I consider myself a fixer.  The Lord has blessed me with the gift of discernment.  I have been this way for as long as I can remember and discerning situations usually fulfills my need to fix situations.  Until tonight. 

The Banker and I took The Ladies to Santa’s Cause (look them up on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SantasCause) The concept is a simple one.  Grant the wishes of those who need a little help and some magic this Christmas.  They incorporate Santa and gift giving into the reason we celebrate.  All the glory goes to Him. 

The Banker dresses up as Santa and I his favorite elf.  We loaded up our car with toys and treats for 5 children and headed to their house.  When GOOGLE maps took me to this shed I was for sure we were lost.  I had The Banker check the address again.  The Tweenagers were looking on their phones to make sure I had the right location.  The shed was sketchy at best.  I’m not going to lie, I was scared to get out of my car.  The Ladies didn’t want me to go but something moved in my soul.  I heard “fear not. I am with you.”  Not one thing could have kept me in my car after that.  I knew we were in the place that the Lord needed us to be.  So, I got out and walked up to the makeshift door.  I knocked and a little girl answered.  I said “Hello!  I am Santa’s favorite elf.  Is your mom home?”  The little girl said yes and when she opened the door my life was changed.  I saw the plywood walls covered with duct tape and blankets.  The wood slat floor held a king size bed, a bunk bed, a futon, a TV, and a refrigerator.  The single room house had no running water, no central heat or air, and no bathroom. I had to find my words.  Santa’s favorite elf could not be speechless.  I told them I had been sent from the North Pole and I wanted to bring a special visitor in to meet them. 

I walked back to my car to get The Ladies and Santa out of the car.  I sat in my seat to compose myself.  My kids were dumbfounded at my speechlessness and The Banker looked at me with sadness in his eyes.  He knows that I am an incredibly composed person so it takes a great deal to shake me but I was moved. 

The door didn’t open wide enough for all of us to get inside.  There was not enough room for all 10 of us in the single room.  There was absolutely zero room for all the gifts we brought.  My family and I looked around at the poverty we were witnessing in our own backyard.  You guys, THIS WAS IN OKLAHOMA CITY!  My kids were taking cues from me and I kept the magic alive.  I was hopping and clapping and smiling and doing what elves do (despite being mentally exhausted from my Monday and real life) and I heard it again. That voice. “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.  Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.  But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.  They will soar high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint.” 

Every house (read: shed) had the same story.  The walls were not insulated, the floors were not stable, the water was not there and the children were hungry.  My family left and went to gather coats, hats and gloves for everyone.  We were able to deliver a second load of gifts to the neighbor kids along with cold weather gear. 

When we left, I wasn’t the only one speechless.  It took a good 5 minutes before anyone said anything and when they spoke it was out of love. They want to help and they want to know how and why basic needs aren’t being met.  For these questions, I have no answers but I do know the Lord used the Smith’s to change my life and the lives of my children.  The Bible tells us “I tell you whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did for me.”  But I can promise you the Smith’s did more for us than we did for them.