Post Theme: Fill A Sock For Christ
Do you have any orphan socks? Well, don’t throw them away just yet. We’ve found a really good use for them. In fact, your orphan sock could change the world for a whole bunch of people.
In 2010, I was in Kenya helping a group of school children try on new school uniforms. We’d barely started when one of the children took off their shoes to make the process a little easier. To my surprise, the sock he was wearing wasn’t really a sock. It was the cuff and the top of the sock, but there were absolutely no toes or bottom to the sock. A few minutes later another boy revealed similar socks, and then a third! Over and over, I saw that these socks, which were a required part of their uniform were nothing but rags tucked into their shoes to give the appearance that they were wearing socks. My heart will never forget that moment.
A few weeks ago, I shared this story with a group of ladies who are helping with this year’s Green Bean Project. They were struck by the deep need these ministries face. Most of us have an abundance of socks, including orphan socks. One of the ladies suggested that we put our orphan socks to work for these orphans. So this year, as part of the Green Bean Project, we’re introducing a new way to make a difference in these children’s lives. We’d like to invite you to FILL A SOCK.
Each year, most of us fill stockings with little gifts or candy for the children we love. This year, we’d like to invite you to fill a sock not just for the children represented by the Green Bean Project but for Christ. And, we’d ask you to fill it not with candy but with spare change. It’s an easy, fun way to bring your family together and to give this Christmas, even if you never use change.
Here’s How to Fill A Sock
Find Your Perfect Sock –
There are three ways to do this (at least, you might come up with more.) You can simply go through your mismatched socks and find the one that has no mate (easy peasy), you can make or pick up an extra stocking at the store, or request one from us here.
Decorate Your Sock –
You can be as elaborate or simple as you wish. Glitter, ribbon, fabric paints, you go with what suits you best. (FTN socks require no decoration.)
Hang Your Sock –
I recommend hanging your sock with your other Christmas stockings since it is a gift for Christ. I also recommend emphasizing that particular fact. Matthew 25:40 is a great verse to go with this project. If you don’t usually hang stockings, hang your sock in a place where you will see it often and be reminded of the gift you’re preparing for Christ and these children.
Fill Your Sock –
The goal is to fill a sock with spare change between November 1st and Christmas Eve. An idea for intentional filling might include rounding up your Christmas purchases to the nearest dollar (or even the nearest five or ten) and dropping that extra amount into your sock. Or figure a percentage of your Black Friday and Cyber Monday savings up and drop it into your sock.
Some of us rarely carry cash and change anymore, but that’s okay. You don’t have to! When you decide to put a little in, say your rounding up change, write out the amount on a slip of paper and slip it into the sock. Then, when the sock is full, you can tally everything up!
Give Your Sock –
When your sock is full, it’s time to give. (This would make a great addition to Christmas Eve, Christmas morning, or whenever you as a family normally open your stockings. It gives an opportunity to remember what Christmas is really about.) When you have tallied everything up, go to www.forbidthemnot.com/green-bean-project to give your gift. From there you can give through Paypal using your account or a debit/credit card. You can also find instructions for sending a check. Or simply come back here and use the button below.
We would love to see you and your socks! Or just your socks, whatever you prefer. Feel free to take a picture, tell us what you’re doing and share it using the hashtags #FillASock and #GreenBeanProject on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We’ll be watching for them!!!
To find out more about the Green Bean Project check out our project page and all of the Green Bean Project Blogs.
Give Your Sock Now
