Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Two Sticks of Gum
By Lexi Ellis

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
John 15:12 (ESV)

This past Friday, we had our Veteran’s Day assembly at the middle school where I teach. Over 745 students and their teachers packed into our gym as we experienced meaningful tributes to the 20+ veterans who were being honored. While it ended up running too long, the intentionality was really meaningful.

We watched a video about the “Candy Bomber.” Hal Halvorsen was a command pilot in World War II. Following the war and the subsequent invasion of Stalin’s army, Hal was part of an American crew delivering food and supplies to Berlin. After giving two sticks of gum to children, Hal collected candy and chocolate and dropped it from his plane using little white parachutes. Operation Little Vittles caught on and by “the end of the airlift, around 25 plane crews had dropped 23 tons of chocolate, chewing gum, and other candies over various places in Berlin.” [1]

So there I was, sitting on a middle school bleacher desperately trying to hold back tears.

It got me thinking: What an incredible opportunity we have! With God, little acts of obedience and kindness can become huge. Two sticks of gum…became 23 tons of joy and reminders to kids that they mattered. Five loaves of bread and two fish… became enough for over 5,000 with plenty to spare. Twelve disciples proclaiming a message that the Messiah had come, conquered sin and wants a relationship with us…those same men were used by the Spirit to ignite the biggest revival in the history of humanity.

Today, we honor our veterans: not by rushing to the store because of a “holiday” sale, but by recognizing the sacrifice our veterans and their families endured for us. I can only imagine what the little things could turn into if every believer did something small to bless a veteran today. Something small like:

·         a note
·         saying thank you when you see someone in uniform
·         paying for a veteran’s coffee or meal
·         a care package to a military family
·         an art project with your child to send to the VA Hospital or Operation Gratitude [2].

Hal Halvorsen took the small things he had and launched a mission of kindness. May we - - as followers of the God who makes small things into much more - - be intentional today in finding those small things to bless others, too.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What are your “two sticks of gum” that you can give to God and allow for Him to use in incredible ways? Could it be doing something intentional for a veteran today?
2. Seriously, it’s absolutely worth the time! Find 13 ½ minutes in your day to learn about Hal Halvorson. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hjz8yu5MWC0)

FURTHER READING:


Lexi is married to Andrew and has a puppy named Calvin. She serves with Oakwood’s Children’s Ministries, teaches sixth grade at Silver Lake Intermediate School and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.