uglyreal

So, y’all know that in my last post about James Ford and his mother, Melanie, I attempted to start a drive for gift cards from Rooms To Go. I did so because I really wanted furniture to be one less worry for Melanie, and so she could have, not just a house, but a home. This is what I honestly believe God laid on my heart in the way I could try to help.

Several folks said they “were in,” but I have no knowledge of if they really were. But when I posted, I emailed my bible study leader to ask her to pray over a number. It almost hurt me to write it, because it felt lofty. It felt too big. I told her I hoped that Melanie would receive $5,000.00 in gift cards. I knew with that amount of money, after seeing the prices on the website, she could get everything she needed.

So. I didn’t tell anyone that number but my bible study leader. And today, in my email, I get a message from Rooms To Go saying there is a contest going on for some lucky winner to receive a gift card from their store. All they have to do is sign up on Facebook and write about why they deserve it. Immediately, I went to the Facebook page and started filling it out on Melanie’s behalf. I put it under my name, but started with the words, “I DON’T deserve a gift card from Rooms To Go, but Melanie Ford does.” And I went on to explain her story.

Almost to the end, it dawned on me. Seriously, y’all, I didn’t even THINK about it before I started typing. The gift card is for $5,000.00.

My little blog may not have enough followers. My little blog might not have enough followers with deep pockets. But my little blog DOES have enough followers who came to care about this family the way I did, just by picking up a magazine, who can petition this company to award this gift certificate to a family many of us have invested our hearts in and have come to care about and appreciate and want amazing things to happen to.

So, you might not be able to write the big check. Neither can I. But we all have a few minutes to spare to petition Rooms to Go on Melanie’s behalf. All you have to do is go to this link: https://www.facebook.com/#!/roomstogo/app_293499220747573 and fill out the form. Put your name, put Melanie’s name, but how amazing would it be if we could flood this company with her story so that she becomes the recipient??!

If she ISN’T awarded the gift certificate, I will still hold on to my number and will still believe that God will bless whatever is given to her. But if she were to win? Oh. My. I wrote that I wouldn’t be surprised at would God will do, and I won’t. If she wins, I’m gonna sit back and be in awe of my Creator, the one who loves each and every one of us, the one who commands us to love one another and to help our neighbors.

Mysterious ways, my friends, Mysterious ways. Will you go to the link, fill out the form, and just see what happens? Either way, it is a ministry. It is trying to give to someone who needs help.

And that is a good thing.