He tugged on his mom’s coat until he got her attention. And then, in complete sincerity, asked, “Mom, are these people elves?”
It was all I could do not to crack up. As it was, I did an absolutely wretched job wrapping the gift in front of me while I waited for the mom to answer. Poor kid who gets that gift – his football looks like the elf/Hope Ministries staff member who wrapped it was a little on the tipsy side. Or, at least, completely inept with tape and paper!
The mom looked to her little boy, then to me – we shared a smile – then back to the boy. “Sure, honey. Sure.”
And yes, that was the first time in my life someone overlooked my 5’8″ height and lack of pointy ears to consider whether I might be one of Santa’s little helpers.
This delightful scene took place this morning at Hope Ministries’ Bethel Mission. We hosted a “shopping day” for residents of our men’s and women’s facilities. Our recovery residents got to pick out two toys – all donated! – for each of their kids and/or grandkids. And some of us staff members helped pick out and then wrap gifts. Such fun!
And so joy-producing.
See, while most of my blog entries end up focusing on writing, my true day job – the one that pays – is working at Hope Ministries. I love the ministry. I love knowing that what I do every day is helping someone. And yet…I don’t always love those days when I’m stuck in the office. I don’t get a real kick out of monthly reports. And Excel spreadsheets settle about as well with me as do females on the Ponderosa. (If you caught the Bonanza reference, you know what I mean. Those poor Cartwright boys, every time one of them fancied a girl she either wound up dead or ran off with someone else. I would’ve stuck by you, Hoss, I promise!)
But on days like today, I’m reminded that the work of Hope Ministries is blessing real lives. And when I’m allowed the opportunity to come face to face with those lives, I am always, always blessed as well.
The men and women who picked out gifts today – many of whom may not have been able to afford buying presents otherwise – were so incredibly grateful. Some of them truly beamed as they found just the right gift for their daughter or son. Some picked out presents for children they hadn’t seen in months, years. Each person I talked to had a different story…
But each person had the heart of a parent…longing to show love to their children this Christmas, even if they can’t be with them in person.
And for me, the opportunity to be a part of showing that love – even if it was only through my awfully-lacking wrapping skills or helping a father pick out the perfect doll for his daughter or, yes, playing Miss Elf – well, it was a perfect Christmas gift for me.
Merry Christmas!
