BBP BEHIND THE SCENES: What Keeps You Grounded?

Have you ridden in a hot air balloon, Dear Partner? Not this gal! I am ridiculously earthbound, but aren’t hot air balloons beautiful when they soar?

Seriously, as amazing as they are in photos or films, I get vertigo just looking at balloons flying above me. That said, I can easily think of at least five movies I’ve seen where a glamorous hot air balloon has a leading role:

  • “Wizard of Oz” (well, duh!)
  • “Oz, the Great and Powerful”
  • “Five Weeks in a Balloon”
  • “Around the Word in 80 Days” (three versions)
  • “Aeronauts”

Crazy, right? I had to close my eyes every time one became airborne. So what does that have to do with Buddy Bag Project, Inc.?

Recently, something made me think of hot air balloons, and being naturally curious, I wondered what it takes to keep one tethered to the ground. Not to worry, there are lots of posts and videos. Interestingly enough the first two articles that popped up were from the Girl Scouts of America and the Boy Scouts of America. Go figure.

And here’s what the Boy Scouts had to say in their Hot Air Balloon Tethering Guidelines:

On all tethered events, the balloon is secured to the ground with tether lines from at least three separate locations on the perimeter of the tether site using poles, trees, or vehicles as attachment points. These attachment points must be capable of supporting several thousand pounds of force.

Boy Scouts of America

Did you catch that, Partner, “at least three separate locations on the perimeter of the tether sites…?”

Then it made me wonder what keeps me tethered, or grounded? More specifically, in the middle of meetings, planning events, ordering care bag supplies, the fun, and not so fun, things involved with a nonprofit, what keeps me grounded and focused? Sometimes it feels like I’m working without a net, and I have to step back to take a look at my “attachment points.”

My eyes are always looking to the Lord for help. He will keep me from any traps.

Psalm 25:15

For those in need shall not always be forgotten,
    and the hope of the poor will never die

Psalm 9:18

And you too, my faithful partner, I want you to help these women; for they have worked hard with me to spread the gospel, together with . . . all my other fellow workers, whose names are in God’s book of the living.

Philippians 4:3

It’s so easy to get all worked up about having enough backpacks, or toothbrushes, or bottled water. I stress about having enough packing partners for Gathering to Give in June when we’ll be packing 500+ personal care bags. And that’s when I realize I’ve stretched, ignored, or become unattached to the most important tether of all: what is God calling Buddy Bag Project to do?

Dear Partner, may I ask you to join me in two prayers? First, join us in lifting prayers of thanksgiving for the sometimes surprising ways the Lord has blessed Buddy Bag Project with people to serve and serve with, and provisions for blessing others. And, may all of us strive to stay grounded in God’s calling upon our lives.

Ways to Get Involved with Buddy Bag Project, Inc.

Donate to Buddy Bag Project directly using Venmo.

Amazon Wishlist to order & ship items directly to BBP.

Buddy Bag Project, Inc. is a 501c3 charitable organization operating in Kansas City, MO, in partnership with City Union Mission.

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