“Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” -Mark 12:28-31
Every community has people who are need and people who are able to meet the needs of those in their community. Alona Hayes and Jenny Giles are a mother and daughter in Elgin, Oklahoma who understand this. With a great desire to be good neighbors this family has established a small place where needs can be met.
Alona and Jenny had seen the idea of a blessing box from another community. This box is placed in a public area and filled with food for those in need. There is a sign placed on the box that reads, “Bring what you can, take what you need.” Alona and Jenny brought the idea to Elgin and began to recruit help to make this a reality for their community. A local fireman joined the cause and built the blessing box. Another person set up a Facebook page to help manage the box. Many others came together to fill the box and become blessing to their community.
Today, the people of Elgin are taking care of one another. They are fulfilling the great law of our Lord. To provide for our neighbors in need is love. Each of us have something to share. Each of us have the duty to be a good neighbor. How can you bless someone in need? When God’s people are generous, God’s love is realized by all.
Rev. Keith King, Online Campus Pastor
