"I was cold and you kept me warm..."

Triumphant Victorious Reminders

Inspired by the Holy Spirit
Written by: Teresa Criswell

"For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.'" - Jesus as recorded in Matthew 25:35-36



Photo courtesy of Temple and Cindy Cash

Photo courtesy of Temple and Cindy Cash

Generosity oozes out of every fiber of Cindy's being as the compassion of God radiates her countenance. Glimpses of Jesus' face seem to appear - He radiates through her in a similar way as He did through Mother Teresa.

Amazed as I watch her while we carry an intentional conversation - conversation that gently provokes the stream of gratitude to fall from her beautiful eyes down her sculpted face.  Lips full as they quiver, her gentle voice shaking; overwhelmed with joy, she is able to finally say, "It was after the September homeless outreach. All of a sudden the sleeping bag concept came to my mind; the homeless needed Christmas presents and I'm going to start praying for it.  A few weeks later I started passing out slips of paper telling people, "Pray with me, pray with me, I don't know where the money is coming from, but please pray with me." So they prayed and a few weeks later the church family came to me and said, "Cindy, you've got it all." She continued, "Two hundred new sleeping bags, socks, hats and gloves and now because of other donations within our local church family we're able to give more."

"Wow!" was all I could say, and in that moment I had to know more. 
I had to know more about this 'God compassion' that compelled her to wake up every day and so I asked, "Cindy, what are you envisioning on Saturday?" Seemingly iridescent tears of gratitude, likened to gems, continued to stream down her face; her voice becoming smaller; choking back tears she interrupted the silence and said, "To keep them from being cold; to have a Christmas present; to have something to open on Christmas, even though it's a few days before, but actually having a Christmas present because I know many of these people haven't had a present for many, many years. To be warm, those sleeping bags will keep them warm."

This says so much doesn't it? Hoarding perspective of "wants" diminish in the face of true "needs". In my mind as I am reminded of our conversation, these words of Cindy's only Christmas wish list, "To keep them warm...to keep them warm" echoes Jesus's words,

"For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.'"

TRIUMPHANTLY reminded of God's VICTORIOUS love, which REVEALS YET AGAIN, HIS MATCHLESS, ENDLESS, ETERNAL LOVE IS about - 'THEM'.
Selfless, unconditional love that has no concern of self, only for others.

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Mentioning a few donors from this post:
REACH Church, 10400 Anderson Mill, Austin, Texas
Crown Donuts, 10400 Anderson Mill, Austin, Texas
Shipley Donuts, 10401 Anderson Mill, Austin, Texas 
Generous people throughout the community who assist every month with toiletries (i.e. hygiene kits including: razors, soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)

Shout outs of gratitude to the following companies:
Academy in Cedar Park for the great deal with the sleeping bags, with FREE shipping cost and delivered directly to the Cash family's driveway. 
Were given a good deal from ebay and Dollar Tree
Walmart helped with blankets
La Tapatia Taqueria, discounted burritos to hand out every month to those who are living in homeless conditions