The impact of generosity - Stephanie Rautio

This week I was running errands on my way to an appointment. As I drove through a parking lot I saw a simple moment in time that was impactful on my evening, and my heart. When one woman was done loading groceries into her car another was heading in and offered to take her cart for her.

I could not hear the words but the picture of an elderly woman unable to stand up straight, struggling a little in her movements, having just shopped and loaded her car was saved the task of taking the cart up to the curb or back to the store by someone who was not having the same mobility issues. Two women helping each other.

This picture of generosity stuck out to me. We pass by moments, opportunities, like these everyday or they might be done for us. What a beautiful thing. I encourage you to watch for moments like this and maybe be the helper in the story.

’Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” Matthew 25:40

One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25

This month, during our Entrusted series, we are focusing on generosity. On Sunday, Daniel spoke on financial generosity. Because of the generosity of the people of Hope City we are able to help so many people in our community. During the week we have various group use our building including a Garden Club, an AA group, and a Younglives group for teen moms. We also partner with local schools in their back pack buddies program, and we help people in the community that are having a financial hardship.

During the month of October we participated in the Wichita Center’s Coats for Kids, coat drive. Hope City you came through! Due to your coat and financial donations we were able to give 184 coats adding to their overall total of over 800. These coats are going to the children in the North Clackamas School district…our neighbors.

I am so thankful to be a part of such a generous and loving group of people.

Stephanie Rautio
Office Administrator | Hope City Church