Ring! Ring! Ring!
It is the season for the red kettles and bell ringers to be greeting you at the door of your favorite store. We see them at the entrance of grocery stores, Walmarts, Targets and most anywhere folks are spending money. They do a wonderful service for those in need of food, clothing , shelter or the word of God.
Thank you ma'am. God Bless You.
History of the Red Kettle
The Salvation Army 'Red Kettle' started in San Francisco in 1891 by officer Captain Joseph McFee. His efforts were to raise money for a free Christmas dinner for the poor in San Francisco. He took an idea of a kettle from his days in Liverpool, England. The idea caught on and spread throughout the Salvation Army communities. In the Midwest United States a tradition has taken where some kettles receive gold coins or bullion from some anonymous donors. This makes the caring and Sharing season special. The ringing season starts before the Turkey Holiday.
Troy, someone dropped a gold coin in your kettle.
I was about 28 when this was taken
It's that singing bell ringer at Target. Doesn't he ever wear out?
My Personal Story
Yours truly participated as a bell ringer in Davenport, Iowa for five years some 30 years ago. Three of those years I also sang music, as I rang for up to 9 hours a day. That is a long time for the vocal chords. I even had a reindeer hand puppet that I would use for Rudolph and other songs. It was a lot of fun, but I had to layer clothing to keep warm. They would set me up at Target or Walmart, and I would enjoy performing and bringing smiles to the faces of people. The donations grew. I was featured in the local papers for the work I did. Regardless, it was so much fun bringing joy to others. At the end of the night the Captain would come to collect the kettles and our work was finished.
You never knew when the captain would come, but I watched for his arrival every night.
Spiritual Relevance
Those days and nights of ringing and singing make me think about life and the spiritual. We are all given a kettle to fill. We are left with it to do as we please. We can fill the kettle to overflowing and work tirelessly, as we watchfor the captain to come, collecting us with our earnings. Or we can take countless breaks, and only ring when a person can hear us. We can be thankful and friendly, or only there for the paycheck. Which will you be?
We are all bell ringers. Our lives are kettles that show our gratitude for the life we've been given.
We all carry a kettle ad a stand. This is our life. We all have a bell. It is our voice. How loudly will we ring truth and gratitude? Our kettle contains the good things we did for our God. It also has some gold coins and bullion. They are the souls of those that we either planted a seeds of faith, or were able to save though the help of God. What will your kettle look like when the Captain ...or rather God comes to collect you for your life's work? What will you have to give back to your creator, as a thank you for the life He gave you? He is coming to make the rounds to pick up the kettles for the night. No one knows what time. Are you ready?
A Relationship With The Kettle Captain
If you have not met the captain of your kettle of life, do so today. God brought you into this world and will be coming to collect you and the fruits of your labor. Make sure you have an 'in' with Him. Consider a personal daily relationship with Jesus. He is part of our big Christian family. In fact he is our 'in'. He can help to make sure your kettle is overflowing. Consider being a part of HIS Salvation Army as you win souls in this spiritual war we fight each day. I hope you are prepared and ready when He comes.
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Kettle