Dear Family & Friends,
….here’s what I’m thinking:
A while back, someone wryly said to me, “Every non-profit thinks they are the most important non-profit in the world.”
The irony, I thought later, is that Biblically, what we do here at “Matters of Life and Breath” - caring for widows, literally is one of the top 2 most important non-profit causes; the other being orphans. The ripple affect/effect is that when we step into a widow’s life, we are entering into her children’s as well. Thank you James 1:27! But stick with me here…..
“For pure and holy ministry (“worship”*) before God The Father is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their affliction, and for a man to keep his soul without defilement from the world.”
It’s the time of year for Galas and Fundraisers and “Year-End Giving” and “Giving Tuesday.” We’re constantly getting mailers about it, and I figured you were too.
So let’s do something different.
Instead of us hosting a gala or sending out mailers or hiring an inspirational speaker using the money you donate to our ministry for ….. MINISTRY, we invite you to stay home, read the Bible or an uplifting book instead of a mailer, and listen to a Podcast or some worship music. Less stress for everyone; especially during this sacred but busy time of year.
If you’d like to partner with us financially,
I have a few ideas, but the sky’s the limit.
You could donate:
$49.00. The average cost for a woman’s new pair of dress shoes that you won’t have to buy to go with the new outfit you won’t have to buy for the gala we’re not having. (Unless you buy only designer brands from Nordstrom’s. In that case, your average will be a bit higher.)
$150.00 - $500.00. What you might spend during a silent auction at the gala we’re not having for a football autographed by your favorite quarterback.
Starbucks - or the-like. The numbers vary, but the average “Joe” (sorry) spends $30.20 on coffee/tea per week equaling $1,570.40 annually. Instead of driving through on your way to or from our gala that we’re not having, you could redirect that amount to our ministry.
$65.00. The cost of the mani/pedi most women will get to attend our non-gala. (Acrylics run about $15-$20 more.)
$10.00 per hour on-average for a babysitter (that’s not even counting a pizza!)
(or) choose from the cost of gas money you won’t have to spend to the cost of the chicken dinner you won’t have to eat, to the table you won’t have to sponsor.
To top it all off, you could ask your family and friends to match the amount you give!
“And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. ”