I am worried about confessing this to all of you, but I feel like such a fraud and must come clean. I have never watched “It’s A Wonderful Life”. It was not until last year at the Libertas play that I had seen it on a stage. As you might know now, I do not do plays, nor do I do black-and-white movies. I understand why; it is the ADHD in me that prevented me from these things.
As the Blessing Tree blew up this year, I was blown away by how God is moving our church to bless a community. It started on Sunday, Dec 1st when Cristi brought up her concerns after church that we had no tags to put on the tree. My response was full of peace that God would bring them, and boy, did he!
On Monday the 2nd at 9 am, Carol Tyrrell walked into my office and gave me the cell phone number of Louise Simson, the new superintendent of Mark Twain School District. I texted Louise, and she called me within 2 minutes of my text. We talked about the Blessing Tree, and within 30 minutes, a Google Document was shared with all of her staff and both Mark Twain and Copperopolis elementary schools. It quickly became apparent that she had an entire staff of people who love their students as their many needs came in.
Late in the night of Dec 3rd, I got a text from Louise because she had just reviewed the needs of her schools, and they were much more significant than she thought. She was texting me to tell me that no one at MTUESD expected us to fulfill such a massive need. She did not know that I, too, was worried about how we could fill the needs of the 250 tags on the tree.
On Sunday, the 8th, 80% of the tags came off the tree, and the people of Vine & Branch Fellowship humbled me. I know we live in an area of economic depression, and the economy and inflation have deeply impacted us all. The people of Vine and Branch moved me by their love of those in Angels Camp and their generosity. The Blessing Tree even got attention online, and people from the community showed up to grab tags and came back with wrapped gifts hours later.
On Dec 17th, we pulled down the remaining tags, and Cristi and Julia drove to Sonora to shop with the generous donations of those who did not have time to shop, so every need was filled. On Dec 18th, all the needs for Mark Twain will be delivered so the staff can get them into the hands of the student’s families before the last day of school before winter break. Before the ladies left to go shopping, we got on our knees and prayed over the tags. We ask Jesus to lead us to each gift that the child would love to have. Jesus knows the hearts of each need and what color or size of need would have a lasting impact on each person.
Next week, we get the Blessing of watching the single parents come and get their gifts. I wish you could be here to watch as the command of loving one another happens to many people who do not know who Jesus is. Each pickup is powerful and moving. I sit here today disappointed in myself that I had any doubts when all the needs arrived. If Jesus brings a need to us, then He will be the one who will fulfill every need.
Phillippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Just like George Bailey in the movie “It’s A Wonderful Life.” We may never know the impact we have on someone’s life. I want to thank each of you for all the hard work, prayers, and sacrifices to make this year’s Blessing Tree a success. This was the 4th year of the tree, and the needs more than doubled, and God covered every need. Every gift will have a tangible impact on the families who get a gift from someone they will likely never meet.
Humbled and thankful,
Pastor Chris