I'm Just Sayin by Alan P. Scaglione

                                           

                                              “I’m Just Sayin’”

                                                                          by Alan P. Scaglione

Ever hear the line “give til it hurts!” ?

I have a friend who is a hair dresser. She told me that she is cutting kids hair for free to help the families get ready for school. She said so many families don’t have enough money for school supplies, clothes AND haircuts, so… she volunteers her talent to cut their hair—for free!

You have to know—she is struggling financially, so this is money she could be applying to her financial situation, but… she wants to give back to families who are struggling just trying to get their kids ready for school. I remember being one of those families.

Made me wonder? We have seen so much about the nation’s budget and the reluctance of our politicians to accept that we as a nation must live on a balanced budget…we sometimes forget…families are doing this every day, all around us. If they don’t have it to spend, they just can’t buy it.

It’s a basic fact of family life—some things you can afford, other things you go without. Cut and dry—facts of life. We can’t have everything!

So my friend’s helping hands really impressed me—it’s not always about the big grandiose presentation of thousands of dollars to underprivileged causes—although those are certainly appreciated. Sometimes, it’s just the simple gift of talent and time—that go such a long way.

Made me wonder…again.

 A lot of us could probably help out a struggling family get their kids ready for school.

What could we do, you might ask? Here are some suggestions:

 - a backpack filled with school supplies;

 - a gift card to a clothing store;

 - how about the good old fashioned way—just a $20 bill that leaves your pocket and somehow makes it into their hands! Hands Across America!

It doesn’t have to be a big gift—whatever you can afford is probably more than they can.

There are families all across America—who just need a little help—especially now, with school starting.

Perhaps they are: in your neighborhood; at work; at church; in your family—

Right now-- take a moment to ask yourself—Which family can I help?

I’ve found that it’s not only the homeless who are still needy—sometimes, they live in a house, have a car and 2 jobs, but…money is so tight.

Preparing for a new school year can be a financial burden, and sometimes, the kids go without. Without supplies, without clothes, even without haircuts!

Let’s face it…if you are a grandparent, you know exactly how a little help here and a little help there goes a long way for a struggling family.

That’s where we can get involved— let’s decide to help a family out this week—before schools starts!

Luke 6:38 says…”Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosom!”

But remember…we don’t give to get! We give because...we’ve already gotten! It’s the greatest example of Pay It Forward!

God has been so good to so many of us—why not share His goodness with those who just need a helping hand…to get their kids to school!

So…here’s your challenge—perform your “random act of kindness”:

Give to some family in a way you wish someone had given to you WayBackWhen-- you were getting kids ready for school!

It can be: supplies; backpacks; gift cards for clothing; buy a hair cut; or just a hallelujah handshake with a few presidents changing hands!

I can assure you—it will be greatly appreciated!

You will feel the joy of giving…by sending a child to school with one less worry and relieving a parent’s burden!

Instead of “give until it hurts”; why not “give until it helps!”

Until next time,

I’m Just Sayin’…

Brother “A”