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)
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.
