Baby J is ten months old!

Where has the time gone? Nearly walking and soon to be running, this little girl has grown in so many ways. She has left her infant status behind. Confidence is emerging along with a spark of adventure as she investigates everything in her view and babbles endlessly about it. Perhaps there’s another teacher inside this little bit of a girl. Only time will tell.

This surge in growth left me with the problem of what to do with all the beautiful baby stuff everyone has given us. Our friends and family were so generous I had boxes of lightly used clothing that didn’t fit Baby J anymore. Letting go of your newborn stuff isn’t easy as you mommies out there can attest. But instead of lamenting, I decided to donate all of it to our local pregnancy resource center, where it could continue to be a blessing.  As I folded each piece of clothing Baby J wore, I remembered how sweet she looked in each outfit, and I thanked God for the abundance of love we had received. Gratitude then inspired me to pray for the new baby girl who would wear it and her mama and daddy who chose to become parents despite any challenges they were facing.

I wish you could have been there when I dropped off the stuff. The staff was so excited to receive the clothing and started sorting through it immediately, oo-ing and ah-ing over its cuteness. Part of me thinks they were picturing the same thing as I was—how beautiful it is when a community works together to love their neighbors. I was blessed to be a part of it. But the cool thing was how many people from my friends and family also played a role. This act of love was made possible out of the love we had received from our family and friends when we needed it. Their generosity went well beyond our household to touch families they would never know.

Baby J has undoubtedly changed our family dynamic over the ten months. Paul and I cannot imagine life without her. Our family is not all that’s changed. The world has also changed for the better just because of her presence. It’s amazing how God takes things, like a little girl and small acts of love, to make His presence known among the people of the earth.

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It doesn’t take great deeds to change the world.

Often, it’s the small things that have the most significant impact. There are ministries in most communities that rely on donations to do what they do. In our case, we simply gave from the abundance of love that had been given to us. Perhaps you are in the same position with resources that are just waiting to be used to bless others. It may look different from my experience of giving Baby J’s clothes away. Maybe the gifts you have an abundance of are cash, time, or a talent that could be a blessing when donated to others. Consider seeking out a local agency and seeing what you can do to help make a difference in someone’s life.

I chose the Rose of Sharon Pregnancy Resource Center, located in Victorville, California. They offer pregnancy guidance counseling, practical help such as diapers, maternity and baby clothes, formula, and parenting classes. You can get involved by becoming a financial supporter, prayer partner, volunteer for events and fundraising, or donate clothes, diapers, or formula as I did. They currently are short on 6-9 month clothes, newborn, size 4 and 5 diapers, and formula. You can drop off donations Monday-Thursday, 9:30-3:30. For more information, contact Rose of Sharon at roseofsharon.org or see them on Facebook at rospregnancycenter.

So let’s not grow tired of doing what is good. At just the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone.”

Galatians 6:9