Here are three things good things to share with you this week:
1. Bridge of Hope.☀️
Today I was preparing a few words to share at a fundraising event for an organization I volunteered with the past two years called Bridge of Hope. “Bridge of Hope trains and equips local Christian faith communities (churches, Bible study groups, house churches, etc.) from a wide variety of Christian traditions to respond to homelessness in practical, tangible, and neighboring ways.”
Bridge of Hope pairs a family at risk of homelessness with a team of volunteers from a local church. I got to be on one such team. Together with the case manager from Bridge of Hope, we worked to support the neighboring family “toward goals of acquiring safe and sustainable housing, building strong and resilient families, and creating supportive relationships with their Neighboring Volunteers” (from the Bridge of Hope website).
This is beautiful, dignifying, and creative work–and it works! During a time over the last two years when I saw so much division, I also got to see a team of people from diverse backgrounds come together to support our neighboring family and form real relationships.
I share this not just to spread the news about Bridge of Hope (although I hope you check them out), but to encourage you that in dark times, there are people who care and are doing good work in the world in the name of Jesus. ❤️
2. Power and Peace Design
My talented and thoughtful friend, Amanda, of Power and Peace Design, has a beautiful and bright line of Scripture greeting cards, prints, and stickers. In fact, one of you thoughtful readers recently sent me one of her cards with a note of encouragement about writing my Bible study (which I so appreciated)!
She also has written a guide to writing sympathy cards that I think you’d find really helpful. Keep her in mind when you’re thinking about Christmas presents for your letter-writing, Scripture-loving friends and family.
3. Things Take Time
I am slowly learning that all the things don’t have to be done all at once. A friend encouraged me this past week to keep working on my Bible study even though it’s been a hard season to put a lot into it.
Mary Oliver wrote this poem called “Don’t Worry”:
Things take the time they take. Don’t
worry.
How many roads did Saint Augustine follow
before he became Saint Augustine?
And Wendell Berry said, “the impeded stream is the one that sings.” 🎵
I hope these things encourage you today!
As I shared last week, all my advent and Christmas printables are listed HERE in the shop. This year, I added a free download of three printable greeting cards to the 25 Days of Advent Joy sets. I also added a listing of eight folding printable greeting cards designs to color and share.
COPYRIGHT/USAGE: All writing, artwork and photos are copyright Marydean Draws. Please do not repost or resell on another website. I’m happy for you to use my coloring pages and other printables for home, school, and ministry. If you share content, please link back to the original post. Thank you!
