Joyce Grady, a deacon at Gashland Presbyterian Church, tells her very own Christmas story.  Joyce explains, “On Friday, December 7, I had to go to CVS at lunchtime to pick up medicine for my husband.  After my purchase, I received a coupon for $10 off my next purchase of $50 or more.  That evening I decided to go back to CVS to purchase over-the-counter medicine for City Union Mission with the $50 our Missions Committee gave to me, and since I had a coupon for $10 off, I could purchase $60 worth of medicine.”

”Well, I got carried away and kept filling the cart with more items.  I was counting and thought I had $50 worth of stuff.  At the check out, I was telling the clerk how happy I was that I had a $50 donation to purchase this stuff for City Union Mission. I told her I had quite a variety.  Well, when we got to the $60 total and used the coupon, I still had numerous items in the cart.  I apologized to the clerk and told her I would be happy to return the left over stuff to the proper spot and put the items back on the shelves.”

”Then the voice of a sweet angel next to me said, "No, don't do that.  I will buy the items to donate to your cause."  I said, “Wow, how nice.  Are you sure?”  She said, “Yes.”  I felt a little guilty so I asked her to let me pay half.  She said that she was trying to decide what or who to donate to for Christmas and that this is what she wanted to do.”

”So friends, I put the rest of the items on the counter and then the clerk disappeared for a moment and came back as Angel #2 and used her 30% discount card to help defray the cost for the Angel #1. I was so happy.  Tears came to my eyes as I hugged Angel #1.  I had to hug her again as I couldn't reach Angel #2.  I kept saying thank you and that City Union Mission would be so pleased to receive these items.  I told them, “God bless you, and you are so awesome,” several times.  The beauty of it is that Angel #1 had her daughter with her, who was about 8 years old, and she witnessed a very wonderful sharing sight.”

TALK ABOUT GOD PUTTING PEOPLE IN YOUR PATH!

”I left with the items in a cart, which I never do as then I had to return the cart back inside the CVS, but it gave me another opportunity to say thank you again and God bless you.  As I was smiling and laughing with glee, I looked around and I realized how big of crowd was around Angel #1, and that they too had witnessed a wonderful happening.  And yes, they all had smiles on their faces and nodded at me.  After that I sat in the car and cried tears of joy and thanked God for such a blessing.”

”So this is my Christmas story that I had to share with you!  I laughed and smiled the whole night, and every time I think of this blessing I still feel happy inside.”

Have you noticed that you can’t out bless God?  Please click here to find out more about how you can be blessed by being a blessing. 

For the ways to provide hotlist, please click here.   

And if you would like information about how your church can partner with City Union Mission, please click here.  

You are God’s Plan for the Poor & Homeless!