Who doesn’t love hearing the words “thank you” after a kind action has been taken. I know I do. Yet as we prepare to fill our bellies with some of the tastiest Thanksgiving creations to grace our dinner tables, I realize sometimes “thank you” has a much bigger meaning. If your family is like mine, before we start diving in we typically take a few moments for all the members of the family to say one thing they are thankful for this year. Typically I share about the love of all the people surrounding me, or God’s grace, but this year, will be a little different. There is a thank you, that melted my heart. A thank you not spoken in words, but revealed through actions.
This week I looked upon the photos and reports of three incredible sights. An alumni mother shared a photo of her Christmas tree. The beautiful tree standing 6’ tall and adorned with shimmering ornaments and flickering lights, carried the significance of being the first full size tree to grace their new home. For this Alumni Family of Hope, having that tree standing in their own home says so much. It speaks from the hearts of the children, my mom is safe. From the heart of a mom, my children are reunified to me this year. It speaks from the heart of a family, we have our own home. To many it might just seem to be a normal preparation for Christmas in a family home. For this family, being so excited to launch into the holiday season early, is because this year it brings so much joy.
Maybe it’s the current residents, who shared moments of gingerbread house building. One mother revealed it was her daughter’s first time experiencing it. To be able to build a home full of sweetness, then in the evening when all is said and done, to tuck safely in the warmth of their home, and know they are loved. Perhaps, it is the mother who sat in the rocking chair reading to all the children, a story of Christmas and what is to come. As the children’s imaginations ran wild with dreams of all this Christmas would be. Each moment a treasure to hold in my heart. Our hearts. Because the truth is, these moments they reveal to us, are the way they say “thank you.” It is a “thank you” so much bigger than their words. It is the “thank you” revealed through a changed heart and life.
This Thanksgiving, when I give thanks, I will be sharing of you. Sharing about how a community so vast and loving continues in the mission of Acres of Hope to break the cycle of homelessness for mothers and their children. I am thankful for every moment of gingerbread house building, story times, and setting up Christmas trees, because it reveals the truth that the process of renewing lives is working because of your support.
Most importantly, I will share I am thankful for your commitment to see even more lives changed, today, tomorrow and for generations to come.
Acres of Hope Community we are so thankful for you.
Lisa Risdal
Executive Director