Two Sticks of Gum
By Lexi Ellis
By Lexi Ellis
Two years ago, 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:
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.
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:
James 2:15-17; 1 John 4:19
Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable dog named Calvin. Lexi teaches sixth grade Reading and Writing. She serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.
James 2:15-17; 1 John 4:19
Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable dog named Calvin. Lexi teaches sixth grade Reading and Writing. She serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.
