 Have you ever stopped to look around and see all the ABUNDANCE we are blessed with in our lives? There are countless little things that we take for granted each day. It breaks my heart when I stop and think of how MANY things I have to be thankful for, yet how many do I ACTUALLY stop and thank the Lord for? We always have full a belly, we always have a roof over our head, a warm bed to climb into at night, fresh clean water to drink, clothes to put on, shoes to wear, a toothbrush to use... the list goes on and on and ON. And it doesn't stop there...we have the WORLD at our fingertips. We have a Bible in every room, which we can read in multiple translations. We have restaurants, full refrigerators, the freedom to choose between a myriad of meal options, never even stopping to think of what our next meal will be and if we will go hungry. We have robust education systems. We have jobs that are too many to count. We are blessed, indeed. We maybe could even say we are spoiled. There are countless people in this world who don't have these luxuries. Yes, a bed at night, a roof over your head, and food in your belly - these are in fact LUXURIES to some people. We often consider luxuries the next big toy we can buy, a brand new car, a new house, that great vacation we will go on...etc. Yet, the basic needs of life, for some, are their greatest prayers before they lay their heads down at night (wherever that "pillow" or ground may be found). Do our hearts break for this kind of need? And when that need hits a child, oh my, isn't the burden just that much greater? Think about it, a child, so sweet and brand new, born into this great big world, and oftentimes they are orphaned by both parents, left to fend for themselves in a poverty stricken community. Oh, that we would realize just how blessed we are...and that it would cause us to first, stop and THANK THE LORD for all these GIFTS. Thank you, Jesus, for my toothbrush, thank you, God, for this comfy bed, and all these blankets, thank you, thank you for this food, for these clothes, for these shoes, for a place to call home...for people that love me, for the Bible, for education, for a job, for provisions to have ALL my needs met AND THEN SOME. Oh, may we become a thankful people. And not JUST a thankful people, but may the blessings we have cause us to become a community of people that gives to others in need, that reaches out and helps the fatherless, the motherless, the widows, the needy, the poor, the hungry, the spiritually lost, the ones in need of love, mercy, kindness, even a hug. We have so much to give...and if we would just join hands and unite together, instead of fighting over politics and things that we have little to no control over, we can make such a difference. With these burdens on my heart, and the desire to want to TOUCH and FILL these needs... I have decided to embark on a mission...a life mission. I am going to be more mindful of others, serving their needs, beginning in my own neighborhood and my personal surroundings that I find myself in each day, and casting my fishing line all the way to Kenya. In recent days, I have affiliated myself with an organization, Oasis for Orphans, which has quickly captivated my heart! My husband and I are sponsoring a little boy, Ezekiel, age 6, and we are even, Lord willing, planning a short term mission to Ezekiel's community in April 2018, where we will meet and minister to this little boy. I have also decided to run the Chicago Marathon this year and dedicate my run to Oasis for Orphans...in honor of my Mother, living out her love for children and bringing to life a true "legacy of love". If we all join together in small outreaches, little acts of kindness, acts of service to one another and the Lord, we WILL make a difference! So, let's stop stirring all of our energies towards negativity, and let's make a POSITIVE change in this world with the resources we already have at our fingertips. Let's be a more thankful people! Let's be a people of service! Bring a smile to someone else's face, and watch how quickly you smile! Feed a child's belly that has been starving, and watch how FULL you feel. Equip someone with a spiritual need, and truly minister and serve that need...and watch how blessed YOU are. It is a beautiful cycle! We are called to a HIGHER calling. We are called to a GREATER STORY! We have been created to serve a BIGGER PURPOSE! If the love of God lives in us, it should rightfully POUR out of us. Let's wake up EACH DAY, and have the goal be: "what can I do THIS DAY to show the love of God to someone else?"... never mind a New Year's Resolution... This needs to be a LIFE RESOLUTION! Ready...GO! But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 1John 3:17 'For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to Me. Matthew 25:35-40 Comments are closed.
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"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." I welcome you to dive into my grace-filled attempt at sharing the love and truth of Jesus with you! Prayerfully and hopefully, I desire to encourage you and partner with you in your faith, fitness, freedom, and family! ♡
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April 2018
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