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Christmas in July
To our faithful church families, organizations, and individuals:
*The following is an adaptation of the biblical account of Hagar, Sarai’s handmaid. The depiction is likened to the ministry that Ray of Hope carries out and the way hearts can be turned to the gospel by the God-given compassion shown to them.
El Roi. She didn’t know Him. She didn’t know His love. His power. His comfort. All she knew right now was devastation, heartbreak, loneliness, hopelessness. She was unloved, more than that…hated by her mistress who was overcome with jealousy over the swelling womb Hagar held beneath her palm. As she brought cupped hands to her mouth, she was thirsting for more than the water that wet her dry lips. She didn’t know what yet. She was running…but she couldn’t escape the loving eyes of the One who had caught every tear she had cried. She was lost in thought of where she would go, how she would make it, and what she could do. Pregnant and a now vagrant—no one would want her—how could she even provide for herself, let alone a completely dependent babe with no father? She might as well just give up and die alone in this desert.
Then a voice, somehow different from the voice of man—a voice of unquestionable authority. “Hagar.” He’d said her name. Not the way Sarai had, harsh and demanding, but softer, lovingly, with an air of beauty she’d never heard before. He asked her what her plans were. There was no condemnation, no judgment, only listening. She wasn’t used to someone caring about her, allowing her to speak and have her voice heard. “You must go back and submit,” the angel said. Hearing the definitive voice, she knew it would be the right thing to do, even though not long ago, running seemed to be the only thing she thought she could do. This growing baby was already making her life hard, and he hadn’t even made an appearance yet. He wasn’t part of her plans, she didn’t choose him, and yet she wanted to love him..maybe already did love him…Love or not, she reasoned with herself, neither of us will survive if I don’t return. Her whole body groaned down to her soul at the thought of submitting again to a woman who had uncharacteristically grown cold and distant at the sight of her and the undeniable baby filling the space between them.
Before Hagar could utter any words of protest, the voice said, “You will have a son, and out of that son, I will multiply your seed, far too many to count.” Her heart leapt. Had she heard him right? She lifted her eyes to confirm, but the one holding the voice had gone. She was alone again. But was she? Somehow, everything looked different now. Even the air was lighter, and she was breathing easier. She looked down. She was not alone. She had this precious baby whose life had started in uncertainty and even turmoil, but now he had a blessing! He was to be the first of an innumerable seed. Yes, she was still lonely today, but one day, she would be the grandmother of this multitude. Through happy tears, her heart saw transformation. “El Roi,” she whispered to Him as her voice broke. “El Roi!” she repeated louder as she cried out to Him. “You are the God who sees me!” She thanked Him for his promise, but most of all for giving her eyes to see the care He had for her. She was not alone. She would never be alone again.
What had changed for Hagar?
She was still with child, and Hagar would still go back to a mistress who was not only jealous of her, but angry with her for a plan the mistress had orchestrated herself. Something had changed though. Before Hagar had felt alone, hurt, and hopeless, but after the Lord sent an angel, she was so moved with the love she experienced through this encounter, she gave Him a special name. Is the Lord calling You to be an angel? To go and meet women like Hagar where they are? Ray of Hope’s mission has long been to serve women like Hagar. To meet them where they’re at and encourage and support them during their pregnancy. Whether these women are in a situation of unplanned pregnancy or the circumstances have challenged what once seemed like a good plan, Ray of Hope wants to encourage these women and their partners in a way that shines the light of their holy Father on them, that shows the undeniable truth that He is El Roi. He is the God who sees them. One way that Ray of Hope “sees” these women and men every year is through our annual Client Christmas Party.
Christmas can be an exceptionally challenging time for those who are experiencing unexpected pregnancy or beginning to raise a child with little to no support or income. The Christmas Party is a time when we try to spread joy by making sure that mothers are not forgotten. Mothers start the night by picking a gift for themselves. Because most would choose to pick for their child or another loved one first, the rule is that they first choose something for themselves reminding them, they are seen too. They are loved, valued, and worthy to us and to our Savior.
While Ray of Hope seeks to show this love to our clients in every interaction, this tangible blessing seeks to show them, even our little desires, like receiving a gift, are important to our Lord. After women choose a gift for themselves, turns are given to pick gifts for the partners, kids, others, or to pick items that they are in need of themselves. Many have been overjoyed to pick a couple new towels, a vacuum, or even laundry detergent that they need. Often times, just experiencing this giving with no strings attached, has opened hearts that were closed or shut off before. Recognizing that they are seen and cared for completely changes the game. God can come in and change whole families.
Will you partner with us in showing these families they are seen? If you would like to help serve our families through the Christmas Party, all through the month of July, we will be running a drive for donations. Ray of Hope in Shelbina will be accepting donations every Monday (10A-6P) in July, and Mondays-Wednesdays (10A-4P) in Macon, or if your organization would like to run a drive throughout the month or later in the year, just give us a call 573.588.6083 (Mondays 10-6), and we can arrange another date for drop off or pick up! As always, your donations are appreciated and meaningful!
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” ~Matthew 25:40
*The following is an adaptation of the biblical account of Hagar, Sarai’s handmaid. The depiction is likened to the ministry that Ray of Hope carries out and the way hearts can be turned to the gospel by the God-given compassion shown to them.
El Roi. She didn’t know Him. She didn’t know His love. His power. His comfort. All she knew right now was devastation, heartbreak, loneliness, hopelessness. She was unloved, more than that…hated by her mistress who was overcome with jealousy over the swelling womb Hagar held beneath her palm. As she brought cupped hands to her mouth, she was thirsting for more than the water that wet her dry lips. She didn’t know what yet. She was running…but she couldn’t escape the loving eyes of the One who had caught every tear she had cried. She was lost in thought of where she would go, how she would make it, and what she could do. Pregnant and a now vagrant—no one would want her—how could she even provide for herself, let alone a completely dependent babe with no father? She might as well just give up and die alone in this desert.
Then a voice, somehow different from the voice of man—a voice of unquestionable authority. “Hagar.” He’d said her name. Not the way Sarai had, harsh and demanding, but softer, lovingly, with an air of beauty she’d never heard before. He asked her what her plans were. There was no condemnation, no judgment, only listening. She wasn’t used to someone caring about her, allowing her to speak and have her voice heard. “You must go back and submit,” the angel said. Hearing the definitive voice, she knew it would be the right thing to do, even though not long ago, running seemed to be the only thing she thought she could do. This growing baby was already making her life hard, and he hadn’t even made an appearance yet. He wasn’t part of her plans, she didn’t choose him, and yet she wanted to love him..maybe already did love him…Love or not, she reasoned with herself, neither of us will survive if I don’t return. Her whole body groaned down to her soul at the thought of submitting again to a woman who had uncharacteristically grown cold and distant at the sight of her and the undeniable baby filling the space between them.
Before Hagar could utter any words of protest, the voice said, “You will have a son, and out of that son, I will multiply your seed, far too many to count.” Her heart leapt. Had she heard him right? She lifted her eyes to confirm, but the one holding the voice had gone. She was alone again. But was she? Somehow, everything looked different now. Even the air was lighter, and she was breathing easier. She looked down. She was not alone. She had this precious baby whose life had started in uncertainty and even turmoil, but now he had a blessing! He was to be the first of an innumerable seed. Yes, she was still lonely today, but one day, she would be the grandmother of this multitude. Through happy tears, her heart saw transformation. “El Roi,” she whispered to Him as her voice broke. “El Roi!” she repeated louder as she cried out to Him. “You are the God who sees me!” She thanked Him for his promise, but most of all for giving her eyes to see the care He had for her. She was not alone. She would never be alone again.
What had changed for Hagar?
She was still with child, and Hagar would still go back to a mistress who was not only jealous of her, but angry with her for a plan the mistress had orchestrated herself. Something had changed though. Before Hagar had felt alone, hurt, and hopeless, but after the Lord sent an angel, she was so moved with the love she experienced through this encounter, she gave Him a special name. Is the Lord calling You to be an angel? To go and meet women like Hagar where they are? Ray of Hope’s mission has long been to serve women like Hagar. To meet them where they’re at and encourage and support them during their pregnancy. Whether these women are in a situation of unplanned pregnancy or the circumstances have challenged what once seemed like a good plan, Ray of Hope wants to encourage these women and their partners in a way that shines the light of their holy Father on them, that shows the undeniable truth that He is El Roi. He is the God who sees them. One way that Ray of Hope “sees” these women and men every year is through our annual Client Christmas Party.
Christmas can be an exceptionally challenging time for those who are experiencing unexpected pregnancy or beginning to raise a child with little to no support or income. The Christmas Party is a time when we try to spread joy by making sure that mothers are not forgotten. Mothers start the night by picking a gift for themselves. Because most would choose to pick for their child or another loved one first, the rule is that they first choose something for themselves reminding them, they are seen too. They are loved, valued, and worthy to us and to our Savior.
While Ray of Hope seeks to show this love to our clients in every interaction, this tangible blessing seeks to show them, even our little desires, like receiving a gift, are important to our Lord. After women choose a gift for themselves, turns are given to pick gifts for the partners, kids, others, or to pick items that they are in need of themselves. Many have been overjoyed to pick a couple new towels, a vacuum, or even laundry detergent that they need. Often times, just experiencing this giving with no strings attached, has opened hearts that were closed or shut off before. Recognizing that they are seen and cared for completely changes the game. God can come in and change whole families.
Will you partner with us in showing these families they are seen? If you would like to help serve our families through the Christmas Party, all through the month of July, we will be running a drive for donations. Ray of Hope in Shelbina will be accepting donations every Monday (10A-6P) in July, and Mondays-Wednesdays (10A-4P) in Macon, or if your organization would like to run a drive throughout the month or later in the year, just give us a call 573.588.6083 (Mondays 10-6), and we can arrange another date for drop off or pick up! As always, your donations are appreciated and meaningful!
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” ~Matthew 25:40