5 Little Bandaids

What does one give when they have nothing to offer? Everything. 

Like so many others, I remember vividly the morning of September 11, 2001. I was expecting our third boy and had recently gotten off restricted bed rest. My mother called me, crying, to say a bomb or something had hit the Pentagon and one of the Twin Towers. Having been sleeping until the phone rang, I was in a daze and could not understand what she was talking about.

Leaving my husband to sleep after another late shift, I tiredly stumble to the living room and turned on the TV. Pictured of smoking buildings filed the screen. I watched as a plane hit the second tower. "Is this for real?" I asked my mom. "Is this really happening? Is it a movie? I do not understand what is going on!" I went in to wake my husband. I was terrified. I needed my hand securely in his. Then, over the course of the next several minutes we all watched in horror, still on the phone with my mother hundreds of miles away, as the buildings came crashing down one after another. People screaming. Then, blackness.

For the next two days I could not tear myself away from the screen. I am an em-path and I have a ... desire to mourn with those that mourn. I feel their pain. I take on their hurt, so later God can use me to help heal them. I needed to do that right then. I was also dealing with a high risk pregnancy and the stress of what was happening may have effected my baby, we later learned. 

I thrive in serving others and I needed to serve during those first few days. My husband and I talked of driving across the country to New York to help where it was needed, but we knew it was not realistic. We had two small children and I was cautiously carrying our third. I could not donate blood, I then learned, because it was needed for my baby. What could I do?!

Being pre-social media days, reaching out to others meant actually picking up a phone, or walking to a neighbor's house. Praying for guidance, I called the leader of our church's local women's organization. As I shared me idea with her, she became excited to help. 

On the news, it was shared that the rescuers were burning through their gloves, shoes were melting, and they were in desperate need of more medical supplies. Calling the area church leaders, I received permission to put collection boxes throughout the church building in the area. I made a flyer and hung it around the neighborhood, as well as with the boxes, and stood on the corner by Subway handing them out as well. My house became the main drop off point. In just a few days, we had collected much needed items to be sent to New York: rubbing alcohol, bandages, work gloves, etc. The response and outpouring of kindness was astonishing. 

My favorite contribution, though, brings me to tears whenever I think of it. Inside one box collected from the church was not a package of bandages, but five individual bandaids, of various brands. They just sat at the bottom of the box. I imagine that the family who gave these wanted, like so many others, to desperately help ease some suffering. Not having anything else to offer, the mother and children gathered a few precious items from around the house, consecrating them to those who were in need. Perhaps it was all they could do, yet do they know that in giving so little, they changed many lives?

A few days later as I took the gathered and sorted items to the local Red Cross, I pulled out the bandaids, sharing them the story of how these items came to be. The ladies I spoke to that day were visibly moved to tears. They, too, could recognize the sacrifice of the hands that gave these inexpensive, but valuable items. They, too, could feel the Spirit of Giving through this gift. 

How much are we willing to give to bring light to the world, to make a difference, no matter how small? Are we willing to give up some of our most precious possessions to be Keepers of Kindness, Guardians of Light? These bandaids were such as the Widow's Mite, truly a sacrifice, yet one that needed to be given. There is goodness all around us. We can remember the storied of Light when we think of the tragic events of September 11th. Share the goodness. Give what you can. Be the Light in this dark world. 

Sharing Goodness,
Mama Dragon

Prayers for the People

I am a rescuer, a fixer. It has been both an incredible blessing in my life, but can also be my downfall when I take on too much. My husband and I have used our passion for helping others to teach our kids to serve. No child is too young to learn compassion towards others. 

When the Indian Ocean tsunami happened in 2004, my husband and I used that as a great opportunity to teach our very young children, then 6, 5, and 2, what it meant to really serve. We talked about the event, in childish terms, then talked about ways we could help. The boys all donated their savings (a total of $20) to send to the aid of the tsunami victims. 

Just like many others in our country, when the September 11th attacks happened, I felt helpless. So desperately I wanted to help, but did not know what to do. We were living in St. George, UT- a long way from New York City. I went to donate blood, but because I was pregnant, I was not allowed. So we made up flyers, put the word out, and gathered as many First Aid items as we could. After a few days of neighbors and friends donating, we took them to the Red Cross to use wherever they were needed. we found a ways to help, even if the items never reached New York. Those of us in the community that felt helpless found a way to reach out and do something. 

Right now, in the wake of the Nepal earthquake that hit a few days ago, I am feeling that same, helpless feeling. There have been times in my life I wanted to be a rescue worker so I could go and help in crisis such as these. This is one of those times. We had even talked about being a family that traveled the world in order to help serve those in need. However, God has laid a different path for me and I am where I need to be. Yet, sometimes I feel like it is not enough. What can I do for the people of Nepal? As I have pondered on this, the thought that comes to mind is to pray. 

Sometimes, praying seems like not enough. However, I have witnessed first hand how prayers of is enough- especially if that is all you can do. 

others lift the ones in need, helping bring them peace, or guiding them to answers. Praying is one of the most powerful forces in this world! Think about it. When we take even a moment to lift someone up in prayer, we are literally talking to God, our creator, and asking Him to bring comfort to one (or more) of His children. Although He can help them anyway, when we ask Him for extra help or comfort on their behalf, He is taking our love, along with His own, and distributing it to those who are hurting. He does this though His angels, be they be heavenly or earthly (you and I). Our love is lifted up to the heavens, magnified to countless degrees, then sent to the soul in need. Perhaps that prayer brings a moment of comfort, or maybe it brings a new idea of how they can help themselves. We may never know. Realize, though, that when you pray, sometimes it is enough!

Today, wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I urge you to stop, and take a moment to say a prayer for the people of Nepal, a loved one hurting, or a stranger you saw on the side of the road. Your prayer is an act of love and it may be that exact moment that you pray that the recipient needed your love the most. That is what we are here for- to love one another through this life. Let us love through acts of service, through moments of prayer. 

Praying daily-
Mama Dragon