January 25, 2021
C.S. Lewis said:
“When pain is to be born, a little courage helps more than much knowledge, a little human sympathy more than much courage, and the least tincture of the love of God more than all.”
Have you ever noticed how when you focus your attention on the genuine care of others, your own aches and pains (be they physical or mental) seem to subside? Perhaps serving others is also the balm for the stress which we have all born over the past 12 months related to the pandemic, civil strife, long hours, and a bewildering future. Somehow, if we redirect our focus — again and again — to the serving of others, it will then become the most important thing.
This is, of course, easier said than done. But let me give a little word of encouragement to those who are leading The Salvation Army’s work in any capacity: You are not alone. In fact, your donors are standing with you like never before, to cheer you along and equip you to prepare for every good work in the days ahead.
While the numbers are still being counted from the Christmas campaign efforts, the year 2020 will prove to be one of the most successful fundraising years in The Salvation Army’s history. We are seeing double- and triple-digit increases in giving, with much correlation between areas that talked openly and often about their relief work and needs, and the amount of increase donors provided. We have also seen greater giving from younger audiences (think 50, not 20), new donors, and long-forgotten friends.
This short blog post has been brought to you by the simple idea that serving others is not only the best option we have for the pains that face us, it is the most successful.