Even the title of my post today has been haunting me in a somewhat strange, yet familiar way. Sounds odd I know. It's almost as if I know it's something that should be as much a part of my life as getting up in the morning and going to work. Yet why is it that I feel this tugging inside. I just read this devotion in my women's bible last week and it's been nagging at me since, and won't let me go. Could be that the conversation in my house recently has been about "how are we really giving back?"
Is it volunteering at church or giving back to those in need in the community, or both? Our daughter feels very strongly that it's not just about attending or volunteering at church, but giving back to those in need whether in or out of church. Meeting them where they are.
Below is a beautifully written devotion that will really make you stop and think about how you give of yourself to others.
Reach Out
I tell my sisters:
"Let us not love in words but let us love until it hurts. It hurt Jesus to love us: he died for us. And today it is your turn and my turn to love one another as Jesus
loved us. Do not be afraid to say yes to Jesus. "
Faithfulness to the little things will help us to grow in love. We have all been given a lighted lamp and it is for us to keep it burning.
We can keep it burning only if we keep on pouring oil inside.
That oil comes from our acts of love. When someone tells me that the sisters have not started any big work, that they are quietly doing small things, I say that even if they helped one person, that was enough. Jesus would have died for one person, for one sinner.
~Mother Teresa
Embrace the one,
Ginger
14 comments:
I LOVE this post... so much truth and wisdom in those words. I have recently started volunteering at a center that feeds the hungry, poor, and those in need. It's amazing to me the people that come through the line with such thankful hearts and telling me how much I have blessed them by serving them. What they don't know is the blessing they are to me. We are so quick to turn our heads and look the other way and not be willing to reach out and meet people where they are. Especially when they are different from us. Jesus did die for one and for all and for that I am so thankful. We need to share that truth not only in our words but in how we can love them in tangible ways. Thank you for sharing this post tonight... it encourages and challenges me to keep demonstrating love and to not be afraid to say yes to Jesus!
I also love the new look on your blog... so cute!
Beautiful devotion...I totally agree!
Your daughter is a very wise young woman! We have begun a bread ministry at our church. We take loaves of homemade bread to the neighborhoods surrounding our church. We knock on doors, deliver the bread, offer to pray with the people over any needs, and invite them to our church. It's been a wonderful ministry and a wonderful blessing for us!
Great post! It has sure challenged me that I definitely need to be doing more volunteering and not be selfish with my time. Thanks for not only posting this, but also for the inspiration tonight!
What a powerful post. I tend to think O I am a nurse so I don;t need to help outside of that, when I am completly mistaken! God calls me/us to go beyound our comfort zones to help others. I am definitely not good at this but I am working on it.
-Ash-
This is a great post Ginger.
I was just reading something this morning about Mother Teresa. What an incredible woman she was.
I have always been compassionate and mindful of the less fortunate. I can tear up if I see a child who needs new shoes or isn't dressed as nice as another. I'm thankful God made me that way. I ask Him so often to not ever let me get jaded. I work in the church office and we have a small food pantry. There is a lady (in her late 70's) who is very active and keeps that going.
Some days we have as many as six families come for a box of food. Most are so grateful.
I have never gone hungry. I can't imagine.
There are so many ways we can show Christ's love.
I think just even being truly interested in people's lives...showing them we care is huge in this day and time.
Thank you for this sweet post today.
Your daughter is pretty amazing. Sounds like she
is very well grounded.
Have a great weekend!
Love,
Valerie
Thanks for sharing. Awesome post. And did you see the Compassion Blogger Pete Wilson's post and photos of where Mother Teresa lived. Humbling and amazing. His links are in my blogroll. Blessings.
I think the giving and caring starts when we leave our home or wherever we are if we hear of a need. Good post!!
Hi Ginger...thanks for sharing this post. If we would be great in God's kingdom, we must learn the servants lessons well.
Bless you,
Susan
Amen my friend! Numbers don't matter. Lives do! Thank you for that wonderful reminder!
Thanks so much for thinking of me!
Would you be willing to share your email address with me? I have a link to mine on my "About Me" page. Just click on that and send your address...if you're comfortable doing that. I want to share something with you.
Thanks!
Hey Ginger!
Just dropping by to say....HEY!
I hope that you're having a great weekend!
Great post....full of truth...
Just blog hopping today and enjoyed reading your blog...I am posting on our Disney trip so hope you will stop by. Also, the June giveaway starts today...all comments left in June will be in the drawing for the "June Card Box"! You will have to go down a few posts to read about the monthly giveaway. Happy Sunday!
Hey Sweet friend,
You showed up in my spirit and I started praying for you and had to come over. I couldn't remember your blog name at first and I kept praying for you and in the prayer I said, "Abba as she embraces Your truths..." and sure enough He showed me as clear as day: Embrace Life! I scrolled down my blog dashboard and here I am!
I love you and I just wanted you to know you were on my heart and in my prayers.
What a wonderful devotional - and true. Your daughter is wise to catch this nugget at such a young age.
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