Ketchup Packets!

A small child collects ketchup packets and stuffs them into his backpack at school in hopes to make tomato soup over the weekend. During the week days at school,  he is on government assistance so he receives a  hot breakfast and lunch. But on the weekends, these packets of ketchup mean a meal.   How many times have we tossed a Happy Meal Bag in the trash with a few extra packets of ketchup on the bottom?  I’ve done it probably a jillion times. Never in a million years, did I ever stop to think that those packets are considered a meal for a child in Austin!

How about the child that went to school with a backpack full of toys. When the teacher  told him that he needs to leave the toys at home, he said that he was selling them at school so he could by food to eat.

On a recent flight from Denver, I sat next to a nice man who told story after story of starving kids right here in Austin. From families escaping violent situations and living out of their cars, to a child  falling over on her desk  because all she ate over the weekend was a can of beans. Her Daddy didn’t eat anything.   

As I listened to story after story, my eyes filled with tears for the children, and I was touched by the loving heart of his wife whose non-profit went the first year benefiting 50 children to 3 years later feeding  1,000 hungry children in Round Rock. When you think of starving kids, you think of a foreign country, we just don’t think kids are suffering that close to home.  After all, we live in America!

I couldn’t help but think of my own son who curls his nose and pushes away his food when he doesn’t like what’s on  his plate.  Could I be doing more to instill in him that others are in need? How could  I make him more grateful?

 We are all guilty of  taking  forgranted left overs, and without thought tossing out half eatten sandwiches. How many times have you poured out a 1/2 cup of water left over from bed time from the previous night?  We are all guilty of wasting and not appreciating simple things like those forgotten  packets of ketchup on the bottom of our fast food paper bags. 

This charity started after visiting with a  school teacher who was sending  food home each weekend for 17 children. What a special woman to feed 17 children on a school teacher’s budget! From that  a non-profit was born where kids are anonymously put on a list to get their backpacks filled up with food each Friday.

Since hearing the stories,  all I can think about is the suffering children . All I keep thinking about is how this inspirational woman  saw a need and started serving the children but more importantly through her love and actions she  is serving the Lord in a big way!

Thoughts flooded my mind like…What is God’s plan for me? How am I using the talents that God gave me to serve others? Am I doing enough to love others in the way that Christ loves us? I couldn’t help but feel like my Father may be planting seeds of ways I can do more.

People do things all the time to beef up resumes, to become more marketable, but what are we doing to please God?

Now we all know that doing good deeds don’t get you in heaven but when you truly give yourself to Christ you are “new” and transformed. Somehow the desire to be Christ-like is placed on your heart and  serving others becomes something you yearn to do.

Let us make the ketchup a symbol and a reminder, a reminder to only take what you need, to appreciate and not waste. Everytime you tear open a ketchup packet for your french fries, let that be a reminder to serve others as the Lord serves you.

Questions:

1. Has God placed something on your heart as far as serving others ?
2.  Are you passionate about something and God could use you in that area?
3. What steps can you take to do God’s work why you are here? ( Do a google search on ways you can serve in your area)
4. Pray that God use your talents for his work, leading and guiding you in the right direction, opening the doors that need to be opened while offering balance with your home life.
5. What small things in your life do you or your children take forgranted..start a conversation about things your grateful for….

Scriptures:

Matthew 23:11
“But the greatest among you shall be your servant.

Acts 20:35
“In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”

Mark 10:44-45
and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”