You may notice that there is a new addition to the Noah’s Song blog.  After fighting it as long as I felt I could, I put a PayPal Donate button on the site.  This button doesn’t come without some explanation, so here it goes…

Initially, I did not want to put a donate button on the site.  As many have noted, I have a bit of an issue with pride when it comes to accepting help.  It’s not that I think that I’m too good for help, I just don’t want to come across as needy.  Crystal and I have both said that we don’t want to benefit from our son’s illness.  I would rather us struggle through the financial side of this situation than to ask others for money.

A few days ago, I had an epiphany.  I realized that some people can’t think of any other way to help besides giving.  Especially with a sickness, there’s really not a whole lot that anyone can do to help directly.  Babysitting is pretty much out of the question because Noah’s counts are down.  There are only so many material items that we can be given.  Meals are great – really great – but not everyone is gifted at cooking.  So some folks may not know any other way to “do something” than to give money. 

There is a blessing associated with giving to someone in need or to a worthy cause.  We get a good feeling about helping out someone who just needs a hand.  There’s nothing wrong with that good feeling…it’s a bonus that God added in with the act of giving.  People don’t give to feel good, but they sure do feel good when they give. 

I realized that I had been keeping people from getting that blessing.  So I set up the PayPal account to keep from preventing others from being blessed.  Don’t get me wrong.  There may be times that we need the money that people have given, but right now we are very blessed financially.  We’re not rich, or even well-to-do, but we can manage for awhile…and that’s all that you can really ask for. 

So this is my plan…if you feel like giving, please, feel free.  We’re not a non-profit organization, so there’s no tax benefit associated with it.  You’ll just feel good.  If we end up needing this money, we will use it.  And by need, I don’t mean “I want a new car” need.  I mean “the car just gave up the ghost” or “eating would be really nice today” need. 

If it turns out we don’t need this money, I plan to donate it to childhood cancer research.  I haven’t gotten so far as to figure out who and how, but that’s the plan.  I also plan to disclose just how much is in this PayPal fund…not to ask for more money, but to be a responsible steward with the generous gifts of others.  I haven’t figured out a way to prove to everyone how much money comes in, but if I can, I will.  If not, you’ll just have to trust me.  Those who know me should know that’s not too much of a leap of faith…I try to be straight forward about all that I can.

So if you want to give, please do.  If you don’t want to give, don’t feel guilty or pressured…the button’s not there for that.  It’s just there to allow all of us to be blessed.

God bless,

Doug

 PS.  PayPal is a secure website.  I will never see your financial data.  I’m not interested in it anyway.