They call themselves “12 Ordinary Women.” No doubt they chose the word, “ordinary,” to show they are no different from you or me. But therein lies the irony. They typically go above and beyond what the rest of us would think to do. And now their movement is spreading. From Franklin, Tennessee, where the organization was founded, to Texas, Minnesota, Florida, and who knows where else. The ground is indeed fertile.

The group’s work entails two key components: connecting with someone in need, and anonymously delivering care packages of hope. As reported in the Minneapolis StarTribune (Natalie Daher, 8-18-15), one example of this group’s good work took place in the Twin Cities this past August. The group had discovered that a single mom with four children (three on the autism spectrum) was having a garage sale. She hoped it would help meet their financial needs for the upcoming school year, including tuition to a special school for one of the children.

Who would show up at her driveway but a group of anonymous, ordinary women? They came bearing a basket laden with hope, including gift cards for groceries and gasoline, school notebooks, a book of encouragement, and a children’s Bible. The gesture understandably brought the single mom to tears.

“12 Ordinary Women”, which tries hard to retain its anonymity in each instance, also tries to think of gifts appropriate to the need. Gifts have included a dozen hand-written letters, a computer for a high school graduate, a photo shoot for her children for a dying mother, and even tickets to a professional baseball game. Often the focus is more about creating hope, rather than financial aid.

The original group maintains a blog at: http://www.12ordinarywomen.com. Offshoot groups have also sprung up, such as “12 Ordinary Joes” and “12 Ordinary Families.” The founder of the group sums up things nicely, citing the proverb “blest be the gift and the giver alike.” She adds, “I think there’s more blessing for all of us who give than there will ever be for a recipient.” Thanks, “12 Ordinary Women” for being extraordinary with your Love Lived Large.

One Response

  1. I don’t really think of these women as “ordinary!” It takes a special person to see such needs and step out to actually do something to meet that need. In fact it seems they do much more than meet a need. I would call them extraordinary! How wonderful that others are inspired as well…

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