Dear Family and Friends,
Where has January gone? I can't believe the first month of 2022 is over already.
As we walk on into February, we arrive at a very important time for Stand by Me, as February on the Floor is launched once again.
May I share a couple of things with you about myself, one thing I love and one thing I struggle with:-
1) I love my bed! It's my 'safe place'. It's where I go to have space for myself, to read, to pray, to reflect on the events of the day, to hope, to plan and to dream; to draw close to Jesus, to call upon His help and to hand things over to God. I also get lots of comfy sleep there!
2) I struggle with asking people for money. I'm not talking about asking one of my sisters for the loan of a fiver if I'm out of cash, no problem with that, but If I'm honest I don't enjoy embarking on sponsored events (am I allowed to say that?) and having to approach others for money.
Giving up my bed for a week and asking for money are both out of my comfort zone. But you know, February on the Floor is not about me, it's about the wonderful children who are part of Stand by Me's care. Whose little smiling or sad faces, runny noses and raggedy clothes I see on my computer screen as I sit at my desk in the Stand by Me office. It's about sharing their needs (in this case, a bed of their own) with people I know can help to supply them, and that's why I have finally decided to take on the challenge this year.
I'm choosing a special place in my home to sleep on the floor. It will be close to where my dad slept. It was one February, with tears, that I had to say goodbye to him as God took him home. I miss him every day, but I had him as a loving father in my life for over 50 years. A dad who loved me, provided for me and who was a lovely solid constant presence in my life. Something which many of our children have not experienced. So doing this will also be in memory of my dad and to thank God so much for him.
By sleeping near to where my dads feet were, it's also representing for me being at the feet of my heavenly father, in the place of His blessing, His love and His care. There's no place to be that's better than that!
So, would you join me in helping to make this years February on the Floor a success, giving our children the chance to find their own 'safe space', maybe a place to read, to pray, to reflect on the events of their day, to hope, to plan and to dream, to draw close to Jesus; to call upon His help and to hand things over to God. Along with getting lots of comfy sleep!
Thank you so much!
Stand by Me rescues kids from extreme circumstances, then provides the care, love and attention they need to thrive. We care for over 4,000 kids across the world, from Myanmar to Colombia to Ethiopia. No two are the same, some are orphaned, some abandoned, some abused or living in extreme poverty, so we take care to meet each of their individual needs from food and healthcare, to loving parents and quality education, enabling them to reach their potential, stand on their own two feet and become who they were created to be.
February on the Floor is a fundraising event designed to make a significant difference to the lives of our amazing Stand by Me children. We ask people to sleep on the floor for a week of their choice in February and raise money to help provide families with a bed, improve their living conditions and give them a great night's sleep.