.Not Forgotten Bake Sale.

This spring, Not Forgotten was blessed beyond measure in an unexpected way. One of our dear friends, eight-year-old Caroline, shared the story of our ministry with her classmates, Reagan, Abby, Selah, and Lucy, at Crestwood Day School. Under Caroline’s leadership, these students decided not only to listen to Not Forgotten’s vision, but to act in response to hearing it. After brainstorming over how they could do something to make a difference in the lives of others, they chose to have a bake sale. Recognizing they could not do this alone, these girls rallied their parents and younger siblings (five-year-old Natalie, Sophie Claire, and Ansley) to help them organize a bake sale that would benefit Not Forgotten and another local ministry.  This bake sale took place Saturday, April 9, in Crestwood. Many neighborhood and church friends stopped by, along with curious passers-by and Not Forgotten supporters. Delicious baked goods such as muffins, cookies, and brownies were available for purchase, as well as original artwork by some of the girls. The weather was perfect and the bake sale was a huge success!

.sweet caroline.

This bake sale reminded me of a beautiful, familiar story from Luke 21 – “Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, ‘Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’” I know that this offering of these girls’ time, abilities, and resources personally overwhelmed and humbled me. I was honestly more honored and pleased with their sincere, precious offering than I would have been to receive thousands of dollars for Not Forgotten. It meant so much. And if this was my reaction, I know our Father smiled as He saw these little girls’ pure hearts being poured into this event for His glory and on behalf of people who are so dear to His heart.

Our Lord does not ask that we give out of our abundance, but out of our poverty – when we do not see how we can afford to give, when we feel we have nothing of value to give. He does not want our extra, our afterthought, or our leftovers. Part of the beauty of giving is giving beyond our capacity and learning to trust Him. He desires to build our faith. He seeks not only our gift, but our obedience behind it – and He calls that beautiful. That is true worship through giving. Our God does not measure the value of our offering the way we do. It is all about His glory – and it is possible for Him to receive more glory through a smaller amount when that amount is given from a pure heart.

So Caroline, Reagan, Abby, Selah, Lucy, Natalie, Sophie Claire, and Ansley, thank you for being doers of the Word and not just hearers. And thank you for your sacrificial gift in obedience to our Lord that was of great worth in His sight. 

By: Allison Fuqua