“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see.”  ~Hebrews 11:1

For the last 3 or 4 years, we have been incredibly blessed in that our local Dollar Tree collected items purchased by their customers for our Easter Basket Collection.  One of our members, Tina, stopped in to see whether they might be interested, and sure enough, they agreed.  We would pick up the items over the few weeks of our outreach, and as the awareness of this event grew, so did the donations.  They have become an integral part of our Easter baskets to the joy of the children, and the amazement of the adults.  Here you can see some of their items in our baskets…

This last December, I started feeling nudged again and again to pray for the Dollar Tree.  Over time, I have learned to following those nudgings although I don’t always understand why I am being reminded to pray.  Sure enough, when I popped into the Dollar Tree, in January to talk about our upcoming outreach, things had changed.  The corporation had changed its policy about allowing local stores to collect for local charities.  In all fairness to Dollar Tree, it was self-protective measure after unfair and bad press in December.  The manager was so upset as I talked with her, but she felt pretty sure they wouldn’t be able to even though they truly wanted to.  After a few moments of discussion, she said she would forward it to corporate to see if somehow, someway, they would allow them to collect for us.

Well, a couple weeks went by…and no news.  I sent out a note asking for prayers from those I know are steadfast in prayer.  In the beginning of February, I stopped in again and they still hadn’t heard anything.  However, the manager seemed even more convicted that they should be helping.  It was with one sentence that I realized the depth of her sorrow…”I just can’t imagine these kids not being able to receive as nice of baskets…how this will impact them.”  She told me that she was trying hard to think of a way…and so we kept praying.

The other night, I was with a group of women who love to stamp.  They were asking me a bunch of questions including one about the Dollar Tree, so I explained the situation.  One offered to see if the other stores in the plaza might be willing to handle the collection box so that people didn’t have to drive the bags over to us.  I told her I would check with Dollar Tree’s manager to see if that might work.

The next day, I stopped in again.  The manager was in the front of the store restocking some items when I approached her.  As I touched her on the shoulder, she looked up, smiled a big smile and said, “You were on my list to call.  They approved it!”  She was grinning ear-to-ear telling me they would start collecting today.  I stood there amazed.  What a blessing…for all involved!!  Their cashiers are so excited, and they love sharing with others about the good all of us can do together to support those who are less fortunate in our community!  Here’s a photo of two of them from last year…they were all smiles, and we were and are so incredibly grateful!!

So thank You God for the nudges to pray, for the blessings You will bring these kids again this year, and for the blessings You will bestow on the Dollar Tree for being faithful again.  Thank You God for teaching and showing us that our prayers are important and somehow a part of Your will, and for the lesson of patience and steadfastness in the face of doubt and uncertainty.  May we stay diligent in prayer and in believing even that which we cannot see!!

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”  ~Matthew 7:7