A Little Girl’s Kindness Is Reaching Children Around the World
Sometimes, a simple act of kindness invites us to think differently about what we can give.
For Abigail Porter, that beginning came at just four years old. According to a September 2, 2026, report from Samaritan’s Purse, she watched a video showing children receiving Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts and learning about Jesus. She wanted to help.
That desire became a lasting commitment. Before turning eleven, Abigail had packed 1,800 shoeboxes for children around the world.
Giving With Someone Else in Mind
Abigail asks for shoebox supplies instead of birthday and Christmas presents. She includes letters reminding recipients that Jesus loves them and prays that each box will reach the right child.
Her generosity also invites others to participate. Traveling with her parents, she visits churches to encourage children to pack their own boxes. Some recipients have written back, allowing her to see glimpses of the people her gifts have reached.
For Amen Today readers, her story offers a meaningful reminder: we can begin serving with what we have, right where we are.
We often imagine that making a difference requires more money, more experience, or more free time. It is easy to keep postponing generosity until life feels less demanding.
But there is usually someone we can love today. A neighbor who needs a meal. A friend who needs a listening ear. A child who needs encouragement. A family who could use a little help.
The opportunity may seem ordinary. Choosing to respond still matters.
God Can Use You at Any Age
In John 6, a boy’s five barley loaves and two fish become part of the account of Jesus feeding a multitude. The boy’s contribution seemed small beside the size of the need, yet Jesus used it.
That passage encourages us to bring what we have to God. We do not need to know the entire outcome before taking a faithful step.
Children can participate in that kind of faith today. They can pray, share, serve, and notice when someone needs kindness. Adults can help them turn those impulses into action by making room for their ideas and serving alongside them.
A child’s willingness to give can also challenge us. It asks a quiet question: What could I do with the resources already in my hands?
Kindness Can Travel Beyond What We See
We may never learn the full effect of something we give.
An encouraging message might arrive on a difficult afternoon. A meal might give an exhausted parent a moment to breathe. An invitation might help someone feel welcome after a long season of loneliness.
We cannot promise what any single act will accomplish. We can choose to offer it with care and trust God with what follows.
Abigail’s story gives us a reason to consider our own next step. Perhaps it is packing a shoebox as a family. Perhaps it is helping a local ministry or reaching out to someone we have been meaning to check on.
Start with one person. Pay attention to one need. Let your faith shape one action today.
A Prayer for a Willing Heart
Heavenly Father, help us notice the people You have placed around us. Give us generous hearts and the willingness to act, even when our contribution feels small. Teach us to serve with love, encourage our children to do the same, and trust You with the results. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Comments