Thursday, April 9, 2009

This Blog's for You!

First, let me begin by saying hello to a dear reader who is really going through a tough time. I am praying for you & asking the Lord how we can help. Please keep calling and thank you for trusting me within your need. You are a precious sister and a great Mom!



What is going on? I have a dear friend in Florida who is in a heartbreaking situation and has almost no one to help her. What has happened to the church & family that reaches out to help the hurting in a way that is inconvenient for itself? Was is convenient for Moses when God choose him? I think not. He was a stranger to his own people, respected by few & out of town with a new life. How about Samuel? His mother pleaded with God for him, then took him to be raised by Eli, convenient for Eli - hardly! Finally, the many Jesus heard literally crying out to him as he was on his way somewhere else... like me. My point is that helping others is not about what is convenient or easily done by us. It is about going out of your way, beyond your comfort zone & stepping into someone else's junk for their benefit, not ours.



Often I hear that people have looked for help & either gone a way that was not intended to be a strong support for real hurts & needs or they have been pushed away by those in the church who are just unwilling to go there. So, if you don't know anyone in need its probably because they don't think you are going to come through anyhow. Ouch! They are out there, looking for help. But the messages they are getting is that they are just too much, have too many needs and would just inconvenience your little routine & drain your vacation budget. Either way it will not stand in the judgement when we are asked why we did not help the person who was in our reach & in need.



If we are to shine our light in the darkness, then that carries with it the implication that we are to go into the darkness.



My challenge to you is to take a good look around. Maybe you are already helping - great! Don't stop because you feel like you've done your part! Maybe you already know someone who needs a bit of help, maybe you know quite a few and are unsure where to start or who to help. Well, what do you have to give? Are you a good listener? Call them up and just listen for a while, then commit to pray for them and call back to check-up. Do you enjoy children? Offer to have the kids over for a few hours a week. Do you like to cook? Drop a meal by one evening or two a month. Are your finances abounding? Pick up a grocery store gift card or call the local electric company & pay part of their bill.



Ladies, we are amazing! We each have so much to give! We are kind & loving & funny. Give your friendship and help to someone who cannot give, or pay, it back and you will be surprised at how much you really do receive from them!