The Salvation Army are just part of Christmas for me. Guys and Gals dressed up all warm, standing at the door to a store and ringing their bells.
I haven't heard it here yet, but where I grew up in South Africa, the Salvation Army bad would play in the malls as well.
And then I heard that the Salvation Army are pretty big into fighting against gay rights. It was like something inside of me died, and they joined the list of charities to whom I used to donate, but whom I just can't bring myself to give to any more.
I usually drop a fair amount into the red tins at Christmas, but I didn't this year, and as I smiled and wished the Bell Ringers a Merry Christmas, I didn't feel much guilt either.
Christmas was a little tight this year, but fortunately, our credit card balance didn't rise as much as it has in years past. We tried to be disciplined and frugal in our choices, and for the most part we were.
Damn little buggers likely still got far more than they deserved!
With Christmas however comes the feeling to reach out beyond yourself though. It's why I used to like dropping my change into the red tins...
Fortunately I didn't have to wait or look very far for an opportunity to give a little more.
One of my readers is a gentleman by the name of Rock. We have similar concerns about the Church, but we've taken different approaches, and yet I've never felt anything but respect from him. We have pretty different political views too, and yet I never feel any offense from him when he states his views.
He is a gentleman in every sense of the word, and while I'm sure he wouldn't enjoy my saying that, it's just another of his great attributes.
And that just makes what happened to his family all the more sad.
He lost a grandson shortly before Christmas. It was a cruel act of violence which his grandson neither invited nor deserved. For everyone involved it was just a tragic event.
He's trying to help out his daughter and her family though, and I'd like to invite you to read his story and if you feel that pull, to see if you can help out in some way as well.
Judging Unrighteously
I have a 15 year old boy, so I really feel for that family. I have also suffered the loss of a child. It really IS the worst thing that can ever happen to you (well I haven't come across anything worse in my life anyways--and hope I never do!)
ReplyDeleteIt's very compassionate of you to bring attention to this.
ReplyDeletePerhaps, but I don't think i'd go quite that far :-) I think compassion might best be used to describe those who have given so far... Apparently they have already revived over 2k which will go a long way to helping them get back on their feet.
ReplyDelete