A while back one of my girlfriends posed this question: "Whatever happened to women getting together and actually accomplishing something? When do we ever paint someone's room or make a bunch of meals together for someone in need?" She was right. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all about a girls' weekend or a ladies' night out once in a while. But it seems like we think nothing of going to at-home parties where we buy jewelry we never wear, clothes we don't need and overpriced cookware we rarely use. And while we're doing this, there are so many women around us struggling to get by and doing without those luxuries we take for granted.

My heart bleeds for many causes and people but single moms are a group I have always admired and had a burden for. When I've lived through seasons of going it alone, I frequently say: "I don't know how single moms do it. I can't imagine doing this day after day, year after year." And yet, I have never had (or sought out) a friendship with a woman who is raising her children without a dad. My insulated, comfortable little life doesn't present itself with many opportunities and, quite honestly, I've rarely gone out of my way to make it happen. I'm not proud of this at all. I believe we are called to give back to our community, our fellow brothers and sisters. I think about it a lot but rarely do I ever DO anything worthwhile in response to that ache in my heart.

My friend's words kept haunting me. Then they inspired me. About a month of so ago, I read one of those "women who make a difference" articles about a lady who got a bunch of gals together to make gift bags for a women's shelter. I don't think it was for any reason in particular but to just show Christ's love to them. In that moment it hit me. Mother's Day was just around the corner and chances were that the women who were living in our local battered women's shelters would most likely not receive any kind of gift from her child(ren). Between my kids' schools, their sports and our neighborhood I could think of at least 50 fellow moms who would be on board with my cause.

I called two local shelters and shared my idea. They were all over it. One place was currently housing seven women and the other one had nine residents. All of them had at least one child. I perused my email address book, chose 35 women whom I hoped would want to participate and sent an Evite. I asked them to drop by my house this last Wednesday night and bring some items to put in gift bags. Things that they would like to receive for Mother's Day. The response was unbelievable and incredibly heart warming. Around 15 women showed up throughout the evening with their goodies. Many who couldn't come by that night dropped by earlier in the week and left bath products, beauty items, magazines, chocolate or money to contribute. It was overwhelming.

Today will be so special for those 16 women who probably had no expectations for what this day would look like much less that she would receive a gift from total strangers. Thank you, lovely ladies, for your generous hearts!

We had put together the gift bags with everything that came in the first hour. Ten more people showed up in the next hour and we had to pack more in. What a nice problem to have.

Will you look at all this loot? Wow!

These ladies are going to feel so pampered. There were lotions and body wash galore.