Mrs. Claus

    I (Alice) just watched the true meaning of Christmas giving in action (and it was fun).
Read on if you'd like to be blessed...
    A tall woman wearing a lime green jacket came walking back to the office carrying 2 plastic bags and carrying 2 coats. Judy – this tall woman, wanted to donate these – but didn’t want a receipt. I thanked her graciously and then she proceeded to walk into the furniture room – I assumed she was going to shop. But she did look like she was on a mission… a few moments later I walked up to the register to find her with a younger mother who had a cart full of clothes and other items – obviously shopping for her kids. Judy said she was 'playing Mrs. Claus' – instead of shopping, Judy had scoped out the store to bless someone. She was enjoying the opportunity to pay for someone’s complete cart – this younger mother was the recipient. All Judy wanted in exchange was a hug.
    As Becky, our cashier, was totaling up everything in the cart, I had the privilege of hearing Judy’s story. Today was her 40th something wedding anniversary and instead of her husband and her exchanging gifts she was out blessing someone else on their behalf. Judy shared how she grew up poor and now wants to bless others. She humbly came into our store with the intention of finding someone to bless and she did – she paid for their whole purchase and deeply touched another mother and her family. My heart was warmed seeing both the giver and the receiver – neither knew the other. Merry Christmas!

    PS. In one of the plastic bags that she brought in was a pair of snow boots – size 8. After she told me her mission, I shared with her that just the other day when it had snowed I asked a gal who is going thru a difficult divorce and is broke if she’d like to go for a walk in the snow with me. She said she couldn’t because she didn’t have any snow boots. I asked her what size she needed –size 8!!! I shared with Judy that her donated boots would be given to bless this gal with much needed snow boots.
    That's what the HOPE Chest is all about - giving and receiving - Helping Other People Excel!
Merry Merry Christmas!!!