A Feel Good Story About Some Texans . . .

Here is a story to at least make us think a little about some of our beliefs.

We are in tough times: everybody knows that.

Many of us have cut back or are cutting back, especially if we are seniors, on fixed incomes with investments that have shrunk. We gasp each time we hear of high-paid executives of failing companies reaching for more bailouts, taking b0nuses, ordering jets. It is a rather ugly time for America.

This past week most of us have been following the first two weeks of the Obama administration and hoping - yes, and praying - that Barack Obama and his Team can help all of us back to some sort of solvency.

On TV there are ads offering to purchase old and broken gold jewelry. Everywhere there are ads for debt consolidation companies. There are many temptations to let go of something we could do without to raise a little cushion of cash.

In Atlanta, Georgia, there is a young family - parents and three children - who found out in the past year that two of their children needed special care for medical problems.

It is not so odd that the Peters family put their belongings on E-Bay.

What is unusual is the response outsiders had.

First, other people established a website for these people which you can visit to see some kind and some not so kind remarks. They did this in hopes of people sending the Peters family some cash. They were hoping the Peters would not have to sell their things.

There was a winning bid on E-Bay the other day - from a Texas couple, Donnia & Keith Blair.

The winning bid - for about $40,000 of household stuff and a 2000 Chevy Tahoe - was for $20,000.

So, what is the story here? The Blairs do not want any of the stuff and have said that the Peters can sort of think of themselves as storing the things. The Blairs just want the Peters to have the $20,000.

What motivates a couple like the Blairs to give someone they don't know, a real nice break like that? What motivates the people who have given online to give money to someone they do not even know?

Many Christians believe in tithing - in giving 10% of what they earn back to the Lord (The Church). Many believe that everything we have comes from God.

It is very interesting that here in East Texas, peoples' gifts to their churches have remained level during this past year. Why is that?

Why would someone just give away $20,000 to someone they do not even know? Why indeed!

I am not sure these are valid questions! Too many people see life only from a glass half-empty mentality.

Why ask "Why" when you could ask, "Why not?"

I don't think I know the Blairs and I do not know where in Texas they live. Texas is big, but in the twelve years I have been here, I have seen lots of people help others.

Several times, I have seen people stand up and say we don't need to all contribute money for something, because they will be happy to donate the amount needed.

I watched a man and his wife applaud one Sunday when someone thanked the anonymous donor of new computer equipment. That man and his wife genuinely wanted to remain unknown, but Hubby and I were there when he carried in the new things.

There is something very special about doing something for someone without them knowing who did it.

In our church we have a Mission Group and each quarter we select who we are going to help. Each of us who can gives extra to that mission. We have helped some local projects, but we have also sent Peruvian students to college and helped Habitat for Humanity.

For all I know, the Blairs are not the "Blairs" at all. They could be people I already know. I can, however, tell you something about the Blairs. They sleep at night and are thankful for everything they personally have. They might live in a house just like mine - not too big, not too small. They are extremely thankful that they do not have children who need expensive medical attention. Gee, maybe they don't even have children of their own. Perhaps they inherited some money. Perhaps they won one of the Texas Lottery games that Keith and I have not . . . yet.

I am pretty happy to see the Family in Atlanta benefit from the couple in Texas. I am always sad to see skeptical people. Did everyone forget that it is more blessed to give than to receive?

Oh, yes, one more thing. How special are their parents that they were willing to do without so their children could have what they needed? That is a very special family and they will be blessed more than they have already been.

http://site.everythingweown.com

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