'Tis The Season of Bell Ringing

The Salvation Army was very active during my years at Asbury College.  I came to appreciate them first there and have been provided many more opportunities to gain my upmost respect and support.  One college Christmas break (33 years ago), I rang a bell for the Salvation Army kettle in North Dallas.  It still seems like yesterday.

Unfortunately, the weather those weeks were “typical Texas” – 80 one day, 20 the next.   One of those bell ringing days was a bitter snowy cold day with a blustery north wind but my mitten wrapped hands kept ringing that bell, as my smile greeted all the shoppers rushing past the kettle.

It was both heart-breaking and frustrating to watch well clothed shoppers scurry by me at the front door and do everything they could to avoid the red kettle.  Occasionally, a few would dig into their pockets and bring out a few coins but the kettle was light that day.  Pretty much no one said a thing to me.  After all, it was cold – their goal was to get in the store, get their shopping done and get home to a nice warm room. 

I had lots of time to think, as they scurried by.  It was a heart changing event.  I found myself more amazed, as the time wore on, at the shopper’s determination to avoid me.  I didn’t stand in the same place but walked around, trying to engage them.  But, quite frankly, after time, I felt judged.  It was if they had determined I was a destitute person, looking for a handout they were more determined not to give. 

Eventually, I found myself praying for their hearts to be softened, to see the need around them and to realize the opportunity they have to make a little go a long way for someone else.

It was a life-lesson kind of day(s)/week(s).                 

Later that cold afternoon, a bundled up young boy, about 7 years old, came up to the red kettle with an older graying woman, his grandma, and a bulging plastic bag full of coins.  His small hands barely cupped around the bulging bag and he was only a couple of inches taller than the kettle.

He stopped, looked at me, and then stared at his coins as he stood by the kettle. 

Sensing the seriousness of the moment, I knelt down to talk to him.  Head down, he spoke slowly. "Last year, the only present I got for Christmas was a teddy bear from the Salvation Army.  I live with my grandmom and she didn’t have any money to get me anything.”

Head still down, he smiled.  “It was my only present.”  [pause]  “I love my Teddy,” he quietly said.

He took another breath, head still down.  “So, this year, I saved my money to help somebody else be as happy as I was last year." 

“It’s not much but I think it will help someone else have a present for Christmas.  Maybe a teddy bear.”  He slowly lifted his head and we looked into each other's eyes, both brimming with tears. 

He stood on his tip toes to see over the top of the kettle and carefully put each coin in.  I can still hear the sound of each of those coins echoing as they hit the inside of the nearly empty kettle.

Quietly, I found the words "thank you" and got a teddy bear sized hug.  We talked for a while and his grandma was beaming from ear to ear as she told me how he truly saved all year.  He talked incessantly about what other kids might get because he was helping.  AND, he talked more about going to the red kettle than going to Santa Claus.  I felt honored.

We were standing in the freezing weather but all I felt was a warm heart.

That was the best gift I got that year.  I thank him still.  It amazes me to think he would be about 40years old now and I pray that his heart is still thinking of others, giving what he can give.  He may not even remember how he changed my life that cold day but I’ll never ever forget his eyes, nor his heart.

Every year before Thanksgiving now, I make a run to the bank to get my “kettle money.”  I made a commitment that cold day to never pass a kettle without putting something in, not coins but paper.   It is an intentional act and I always talk to the kettle ringer, thanking them for enduring our ever changing weather conditions to bring happiness to someone else.  It’s returned because most of the time when I leave the store, they seek me out, meet my eyes and thank me with a smile.

I am thankful and grateful.  I have so much and I could never give enough.   See, that day, a young man taught me to give from the abundance of my heart, to give all I can, to not hold back. 

So, let me ring a bell again, to help this season of giving.  I would like to challenge you. 

Give another teddy bear to young arms.  Be prepared.  Go get your “kettle money.”  The next Salvation Army kettle bell ringer you see, stop, look at them, talk to them, thank them for making a difference and put something in.   Be the difference this season of giving.

Often it is not the one being given to that is blessed the most but the giver themselves.  Let me hear how you choose to be the difference this holiday season!