Update on “You are gLOVED”

On Monday, I went back to our city parks to check on the care packs starting with the smaller park. The bag that my kids had carefully attached was STILL there. I took it down.

10 days, and no takers?

Hmmm, I thought. It was worth a try. You just never know. I was in a hurry, so instead of running deeper into the park to check the other bag, I proceeded to the next park. (Although I did run by that one last week and a granola bar was gone. I'll check again soon;)

En route to the bigger park, I reflected on the project. Was it really worth the time and effort? Maybe there isn’t as much need as I thought. Was it even legal to leave these here? Maybe I should take the remainders directly to a homeless shelter.

Upon arriving at the bigger park, the wind was really starting to whip around. I bundled up, and ran a quick loop to check the care packs.

GONE. All of them.

Well, that surprised me. And simultaneously warmed and saddened my heart. I am thankful they got used but worried about those who needed them… Praying that they find their way to a shelter especially as the colder temps and snow set it. Part of me wonders if the care packs were just “cleaned up” by park and rec workers. Maybe they were even thrown away. I hope not, but I guess I’ll never know. And isn’t that the case with many acts of love? We don’t know exactly how they’ll be received or even who sometimes, but we do them anyway. We continue smiling at strangers as we pass by. We keep donating food and goods. We still shout “thank you!” to the hardworking FEDEX driver. We keep sending notes of encouragement to teachers. We still paint affirmation rocks and drop them along a path. We keep mailing cards or making calls or singing carols. The list goes on and on. Each of us gifting as God has called us to do. Uniquely. Lovingly. Almost as if we don’t have a choice…

Certain seasons of the year, and of life, sure are cold and harsh. Thank goodness there is warmth and love if we look for it, too.

Not sure what the next step is for You are gLOVED. A week ago, I ordered 10 new sets of gloves, hats, and scarfs. And there are A LOT of parks in the Twin Cities… What do you think?