There are lots of reasons why we do our Easter basket outreach.  Always because God placed it on our hearts, but for the last couple of years, the need seems so much greater.  So much more personal…

In the book of Esther, she is taken from her home to become a possible wife of the king.  Eventually she is chosen to be his queen.  It turns out that the position she found herself in had the potential to do more good than just for herself and her family.  She learned that one of the king’s trusted men had plans to eradicate her people.  As her mentor sent her information, he finished with these words:  “And who knows whether you have not come to this position for such a time as this?”  Esther 4:14

While most of those in Families Building Faith, and certainly not us (my household), are not in a “royal” position, most of us are in better positions than somebody else; sometimes, that is physically, emotionally or financially.  That has become crystal clear to me over these years of reaching out.  More often than not, we are in a position to make a difference…and that position is often given to us by God for a reason.

Most of our outreaches are about us taking our blessings and passing them along…sometimes we’ve used them gently, sometimes they are brand new, but oftentimes, we are able to do something for the need that is before us.  In my personal life, God is often not asking anything more than for me to give someone else some encouragement, a hug, a nod, an ear to hear their stories, a confirmation that they are not alone in their own struggle, or more simply, my time.

The other day, I visited Carpenter Road Elementary School.  In a bag of baskets that the kids had eagerly brought back for us was a large envelope.  The principal told me that it contained some thank you notes.  As I stopped for lunch, I brought them in with me.  Walking through the door, I gently pulled the first one out at the top and read the first two sentences.  I gasped…for two reasons: one because of the need that sat on the first line, and two because we were blessed to have made a difference.  A little humbled by what I read, I tucked it back into the envelope to take out when I sat down.

In case you’ve ever wondered (come on…you know you have!), here are16 reasons why we do what we do:

1.   Because there is a true need of the heart…someone who needs to know God’s love and that another truly cares.

Dear Families Building Faith,

I thank you for the Easter basket.  It helped a lot because I didn’t have an Easter basket on the 8th.  So the basket helped.  I liked the silly string & the teddy bear because I like teddy bears.  I have a friend named Early and he liked the other teddy bear I got from you.  My teddy bear’s name is Valentina.  Her name was in a heart.  I will always keep the gifts because I like it, and love it.  I liked the paryer cards the most.  Thank you, CM

2.   Because there is a use for those things we no longer use.

Dear Families Building Faith,

Thank you for the Easter basket.  The toys I liked most was my stuffed bear, bubbles and my Mickey Mouse painting set.  I loved the candy.  It was yummy and sweet.  The basket was so pretty and colorful.  It was set up perfectly.  I had a fun Easter with the basket.  You are all so generous.  Sincerely, ZW

3.   Because all children need to read and play.

Dear Family Building Faith,

Thank you for the Easter basket.  I really loved the books that you gave me.  The candy was yummy and the toys were cool.  Sincerely, TA

4.  Because kindness and generosity can be felt in and through our actions.

Dear Families Building Faith,

I’d like to thank you for your kindness and generosity.  And I’d like to thank you for being kind enough to give us an Easter basket.  Some of favorite kinds of things were in it, like the Luigi from Mario Bros.  OH…and the pug dog.  I loved it.   Plus the comic book was cool.  So thanks.  I hope it happens again next year.  Sincerely, SEG

5.     Because it is strengthening to our faith to see God move in the little details of life, showing how much He knows each of us, such as connecting a little girl with her favorite color.

Dear Families Building Faith,

I love the basket you sent me for Easter.  I love the blue and white bows.  blue is my favorite color.  I loved the brown bear that with the basket.  I like the candy to.  Sincerely, ZM

6.     Because sometimes it makes all the difference in the world to know someone cares and is praying for you.

Dear Families Building Faith,

I liked the Easter basket.  It had a lot of good stuff in it.  My favorite things were the silly string and the candy.  Thank you for praying for me.   Sincerely, T.

7.    Because His glory is seen by His faithfulness…it is no small feat to these kids that everyone in their school received an Easter basket.  And it is no small miracle in our eyes either!

Dear Familes Building Faith,

Thank you for all the Easter baskets you gave to this school.  We are thankful for what you gave us.  I liked everything in the basket.  Sincerely, JJ

8.   Because life should be about joy, when possible.

Dear Families Building Faith,

Thank you for the Easter basket.  I liked the stuff in it.  Thank you again for the Easter basket.  Sincerely RB

9.  Because God so loved us that He gave His One and Only Son…we love because He first loved us.  This little one was able to feel and return love because we conveyed love.

Dear Families Building Faith,

Thank you for the Easter basket.  I liked everything that was in my Easter basket.  I love you for giving me the Easter basket.  I like the candy that was in my Easter basket.  Thanks again, SC

10.    Because there is nothing better than helping someone to have a “happy day.”

Dear Families Building Faith,

I wanted to thank you for the Easter baskets for all of our class.  Thank you for everything in it.  I appreciate it.  It’s very generous.  It helped make a happy day.  The colors on it were my favorite.  Thank you a lot.  Sincerely KN

11.  Because God paints the sky each morning and evening for us…this outreach is our response of gratitude.

Dear Families Building Faith

I liked the Easter basket that you gave us.  Thank you for your support.  I liked everything that you gave me.  I like the generous stuff you gave me.  My favorite thing that was in my basket was the paint set.  Sincerely, DG

12.    Because when we share, it inspires others to…

Dear Families Building Faith

Thank you for the great Easter basket you gave me.  I thought the Transformers were cool.  My little cousin thought my bubbles were cool too.  The candy was great too.  Thank you again, TG

13.    Because sometimes in life, we can help others to experience the goodness of the Lord.

Dear Family Building Faith

I thank you for your generous basket.  I like the Easter basket you gave me.  Everything was my favorite.  The favorite thing was in my basket was the paint set.  Sincerely, BM

14.    Because God created chocolate and bears with army coats…so much to be shared, enjoyed and loved.

Dear Families Building Faith,

Thank you for being so generous and giving us those wonderfully extreme Easter baskets.  I loved the chocolate and the bear with the army coat.  Sincerely, C

15.  Because we all need a reason to use the word “marvelous” in our lifetimes…

Dear Families Building Faith,

Thank for giveing me a bastket.  It was a marvelous idea.  It was fun to eat the candy and play with the toys.  Sincerely, TM

16.  Because “you can change people just by doing the little things that count.”

Dear Families Building Faith,

Thank you for the lovely Easter basket.  It was generous of you to give us Easter baskets.  I really appreciate it.  You can change people just by doing the little things that count.  The Easter basket was beautiful.  Thank you.  Sincerely, M

As I sat there reading these notes from fifth graders, I found my heart moved and my eyes welling up.  So many things confirmed by these simple thank yous.  So many movements of God that can’t be denied.  How does a boy end up with his favorite character, Luigi?  How does a child end up with their favorite color?  You might think it is because someone knew, but that is not how the baskets were handed out.  They were just placed on the desks or given out in a random order.

On an organizational note, these notes seemed to speak directly to the different things we do…the structure of how and why we do what we do.  The beauty and the order of the baskets does matter.  It makes those receiving the baskets feel special…something we strive hard for in the quality of our baskets.  The one note about the blue and white bows…good encouragement to those who cut our ribbon because after cutting and tying lots, you start to wonder does it really matter?  The fact that almost all of them confirmed my dad’s words about candy was especially touching.  And our Scripture cards that simply lay out God’s own words for them to see…reminders of His love, His faithfulness, and His shelters…to mean the most to someone who would have received nothing…how amazing!  These are all the little things that I stared at in disbelief…the little questions I had asked myself…does this matter…am I crazy for thinking it does?  I sat in awe of these notes with my heart thankful to God for this call, for the strength that He gives, and for the ability to try to make a difference, even when I am unsure whether we can.

Sadly, there are too many children–as the first letter stated–receiving nothing on Easter.  While it might be easy to say that an Easter basket is unnecessary or trivial, it is not so easy to say when you realize it does matter when you are the one left out.  No matter how some may try, there’s virtually no way around the holidays we celebrate as a country.  All kids know about Easter…and Christmas too.

And truly there is no greater lie than the one that tells you that you don’t matter.  Empty cupboards, empty living rooms at Christmas time, no Easter baskets…all convey the same message:  You are not special and you don’t matter.  God knows it is not true, and He tells us–those who are in the position to help–to care for those oppressed.  Jesus told us to love others as we would want to be loved.  Paul, the great apostle, instructs to go to where they are…to meet them where they are at.  How can they hear of God’s love if it is only words or tracks of paper?  How can they trust God’s love when they feel as if no one in this world truly cares?

Serving Christ by reaching those in need is often where the rubber meets the road when it comes to faith.  Thank You God for these 16 letters for they are nourishment for our souls.  They are God’s message that what we do is important…that it matters a whole lot to those who truly need to know they matter to Someone.  May our hearts continue to stay steadfastly committed to being Your hands and feet in the here and now of where You have placed us.

“Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: ‘Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me.  Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day.  I and my maids will fast as you do.  When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law.  And if I perish, I perish.'”  ~Esther 4:15-16