Today has been a day with so many emotions. My heart is so full of joy and yet sadness. You see “Uncle Dennis” has become such a special person to our family. When we met him in February at our first laundromat day, I knew God placed him in our lives for a reason. He is one of the most kind and loving people I have ever met. Over the last several months we have gotten to know him pretty well since we started feeding the Homeless at St. Lucas Church every third Sunday. Each month he comes and joins us. Today is our son, Isaiah’s 13th Birthday and when he woke up he said the BEST Birthday present ever would be for Uncle Dennis to go to lunch with us and then us take him and get him a new pair of boots. His boots have holes in them and you can imagine as the weather is getting colder what this must feel like. We picked him up at noon and went out to lunch at Red Robin. On the way there, we were talking to him and he said it has been 6, YES S.I.X. weeks since he has gotten a shower. Oh how this broke my heart in pieces. Jamie reached over and grabbed my hand and I knew he was praying immediately asking God what we should do. We arrived at Red Robin and he was beyond thrilled. He said he was so HUNGRY. He only had 2 pieces of pizza yesterday. He, Jamie, and Isaiah all got mushroom hamburgers and he just kept saying how delicious it was.
To watch him lean over and talk to Jadyn and the boys and getting to know them is priceless. You see, he cares. He loves them. He is part of our family and we adore him. Our world is a better place because of him 🙂
When they sang Happy Birthday to Isaiah at Red Robin the smile on Dennis’ face said it all. He was clapping and excited to be a part of it all.
Then we headed to Meijer to get him, his new boots. The kids have been saving for months to be able to do this and they were so proud. So proud to be able to get him a nice pair of warm boots. Boots that will last him all winter long and he was just as excited. Then after we checked out, Jonah reached in his pants pockets and handed Dennis the $7 that he received in his Birthday cards today. Jonah said here is another gift for you Uncle Dennis. Isaiah made a picture of him and Uncle Dennis and wrote him a note on the back and Uncle Dennis had tears in his eyes and told Isaiah he would keep it in his coat pocket ALWAYS.
I love that our kids see Dennis for what he is ~ God’s creation. They love him unconditionally. When we were walking out of Meijer I heard Jamie say, “Dennis do you want to get a shower? We can go back to our house.” Dennis was beyond ecstatic. When we got to our house and got all the hygienic stuff out, some new thermal socks, shirt, etc and Jamie took him upstairs to the shower, he kept telling Jamie “I’m going to get a shower, I’m going to get a shower.” He told me, you don’t know how many times this past week I have prayed to be able to take a shower and I said “God hears our prayers and HIS timing is perfect!” I can’t think of a better way to spend our Black Friday. While others are out saving money, our kids chose to bless Uncle Dennis. Not with things, but with LOVE. That’s was our 13-year-old son, Isaiah’s Birthday Wish. How selfless!! I hear so many stressed about CHRISTmas shopping and not having money for their kids and/or families, but as I sat and listened to Dennis speak, I heard what he was saying. His requests are not in “wants” but in TRUE “needs”. A hot shower, boots with no holes in them to keep his feet warm, warm socks, and food to fill his belly. I am not sure as a world how we got so wrapped up in this “materialistic thing” when ALL we really need is right in front of us and is FREE – PEACE, JOY, AND LOVE. They cost absolutely nothing, but so many are not willing to give them away freely. Today, as I sit here with tears filling my eyes, I am thankful for Uncle Dennis, for the love that my kids gave freely to him today, and for the precious gift of our son, Isaiah. God heard our prayers and blessed us with him through adoption. Our family is not perfect, but we serve a God that is perfect and I can assure you, you ALL are a part of our family. We will love you all unconditionally. We need need to stop the nonsense of wanting “things” and start a new tradition of loving others unconditionally, because sometimes all it takes to change someone’s life is for them to know someone cares and believes in them. No matter what mistakes you have made in life, know I LOVE YOU. Your past does not define you, let God renew your heart from the inside out and transform you. Stand firm in knowing that you matter to God. I am blessed by the people in my life and I thank God for each and everyone of you daily. Thanks for letting me share a piece of my heart!!
GOD IS GOOD. . . ALL THE TIME!!
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My name is Joni Meyer-Crothers and I run this couponing/money-saving blog along with my husband, Jamie. We love to show others how to save money in a BIG way! We do all the work for you. . we do the matchups and show you where to get the coupons, many FREE printable coupons. Sit back and follow the blog and watch your savings increase! Couponing is a ministry for our family as we we love to show others how to save and share from their couponing harvest!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story! May God continue to Bless you and your family and Uncle Dennis too!
What a small world “Toledo”.., i was in one of your coupon clasees & i was serving at Red Robin yesterday when your family was our Guest’!!! Yes you looked as if you were all having a great time with each other & at the time i didnt realize Dennis was who he was but i remember the look in his face as if it meant the world to him being happy with a warm meal!! you guys are fabulous!!!