A Little Kindness Goes a Long Way!
1 John 3:17 (KJV) But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
Recently I was privileged to watch a video that showed a gentleman simply helping people in his neighborhood. I loved the video because the gentleman wasn’t rich but yet he would give some money to a little girl and her mother who begged on the street every day. He gave food to his elderly neighbor and to a little dog that came to visit him every day. He used common sense as water was pouring from a spout onto the street every day, but he would place trees under the spout so that they could be watered and the water would not go to waste. He would also help a little lady who had a heavy food cart, push her cart over this one hump every day. He would also give his seat to a woman who stood on the bus each day! In the meantime, there was an old man who watched him and would just shake his head in a disapproving manner.
What is so wonderful about this video is that eventually because of just one man’s help people’s lives were being changed. The trees and other plants he placed under the spout grew beautifully and bloomed! One day as he went to give money again to the mother and her little girl, who begged on the street, the little girl wasn’t there. As he looked at the mother, he was afraid that something bad had happened to her, but just when he didn’t expect it, the little girl walks toward him completely dressed in a school uniform and smiling! The old woman that he gave food to invites him in to share it with here and gives him a huge hug. The dog follows him around everywhere, and the lady who owns the food cart begins feeding people who cannot afford it. The look on the old disapproving gentleman’s face was priceless as he realized that one person can make such a difference!
In the video of course the gentleman gets to see the fruit of all that he gave into, and unfortunately we may not always see the fruit of sewing into some bodies life, especially on this side of heaven, but we will see it! I wanted to share what happened in the video because it was so inspiring! I know there is a movement called “Pay it forward!” However, this concept is not new as the Lord as always asked up to “pay it forward!” It is such an awesome opportunity, however, to give. Do you know if you did just one kind thing a day for someone, you would do 365 kind things a year! Think about it! It doesn’t always require giving money or some grand gesture! It could be as simple as smiling at someone who thinks that they are all alone in the world! Do you know what that smile everyday could do to help them know that they are worthy of a smile every day? It may seem like a small thing, but it could make such a difference in someone’s life!
I am not trying to boast or to brag but I am going to share a true story about something that happened to my son and I every week. This happened several years ago when I used to do the books for my church. Every Monday morning I would go to the bank to do the church’s deposit! Next door to the bank was a huge parking lot for some businesses but it had a concrete lamp-post toward the street. There was a little lady who sat on the base of the concrete lamp-post every Monday when I went to the bank and she would have a sign up asking for help. I knew by her appearance that her little face wasn’t developed correctly and she wore extra thick glasses. It would be the middle of summer and she wore a huge overcoat and had a small little gym bag of sorts placed safely beside her. I knew that I couldn’t do much, but every Monday I began giving her at least enough money for lunch. Eventually, we learned her named and befriended her. I had even driven her a few places when she needed me to. Every Monday, before we ever got to the bank to make the deposit, my son began asking me if I had money for this little lady! This went on for many Mondays, until one day we drove to the bank and there was a little memorial set up at the lamp-post for her. We were heartbroken as she had passed away. The only comfort that I had, was that my son learned such a valuable lesson in giving to those that were less fortunate than we were. He was four at the time and couldn’t wait to give her the money we gave her each week!
I don’t know necessarily how that little bit of money each week really changed her life, but I know it changed mine and my son’s life. I was so grateful to have done something for her when I saw that little memorial set up for her! I wished that I could have done more, but I gave her what I had! I didn’t do this for a reward. However you can’t give to others that you yourself will not be blessed because of it! I hope that this will inspire you to do something! This is all the Lord requires of us! Do what we can do to help others and let Him do the rest!
Triumph out of Tragedy!
When life seems like you have a handle on it and everything seems to finally be working out the way you thought it should, what then? Our breath catches in our throat for that second as we wish that it could always stay that way! However, a living thing will always change and grow because it is alive! Life is always developing and creating itself! Think about it, what kind of life would we have if everything constantly stayed the same? I know that we would love to just have life on an even keel perhaps, where nothing bad ever happened and we could just live like the Cleavers on classic T.V., but again Life is happening right now! If you are breathing and reading this, you are alive! I personally do not want to waste one minute of my life! I want to be used to produce as much on the earth as I was purposed to!
Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
I know in previous writings I have stated that we are all put on this earth for a reason! According to His word He has “an expected end” for all of us! We are destined by a true and living God, who created us to fulfill a purposed Life that He ordained us to walk in. From my experience in life, my greatest joy is when I purposely walk in His will and try to do what I know to do by obeying His word, (Bible). When I am in His will it is always a place where I feel more satisfied. Does that mean that my life has always been a “bed of roses” without any trouble or trials? Absolutely not, but when trouble comes, I have His strength and grace to get through them! I trust that when bad things come, that although they may be meant for my harm, I have a loving God, A Heavenly Father, who will always turn it for my good! Now I realize that this statement is hard for many! Especially if you’ve faced horrible tragedy in your life! You may be asking, where was God when this horrible thing was happening to me? How can I find good out of this tragic event in my life!
I don’t pretend to know all the answers for life’s woes and sorrows, but the only thing that I can offer to those of you who have been devastated by such tragic events or hurts, is that God is in the same place He was when He faced such tragedy. He was watching His only son be tormented, mocked, beaten, scoffed at, beard plucked, bones broken, until Jesus was finally crucified and put to death for me and for you. Why? The answer is because He knew all of the joys and the sorrows of LIFE! He experienced them so that He could heal our lives and fill them with what truly satisfies!
Hebrews 4:15 (KJV) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Jesus knows what it is to be forsaken and broken-hearted, because He experienced it all! He experienced every kind of the pain imaginable so that He could heal us of all of ours! I also offer this in light of tragic events, especially death! God did not kill or destroy the life of our love ones! There is a real enemy and his name is Satan on the earth. Unfortunately, His number one weapon is deception! He is the one who causes death and destruction in Life! He is a thief according to the Bible. His number one goal is to stop us from fulfilling our purpose in GOD.
John 10:10 (KJV) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly
So you may be asking, how can you began to live again after such tragedy in your life? My answer to you is to call out to a Heavenly Father who loves you with an unconditional love. He has His arms wide opened waiting for you to come and be healed! He is a God of new beginnings! You may not realize it, but you’ve already got a purpose, a ministry if you will! Once you are healed, you can help others that have been devastated by a tragic event in their lives. What greater purpose on earth could you have then to be used by God to bring healing to hurting people? This is how the tragedy in your life can be turned into something good! I pray that you will let God, turn your tragedy into triumph!
The Peace of God is my Compass!
Philippians 4:7 (KJV) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
I just love it when my life seems to be moving in the direction that I have hoped that it would. For many years I have been doing things, such as being a wife, a mother, homemaker, homeschooling my children, painting, teaching students how to paint, writing, publishing books, involving myself in ministry, blah blah and the list does go on and on. I felt with all my heart the Lord had spoken in my spirit to do all these things, however many times it seemed I couldn’t see the fruit of any of it right away! What did I do then? Well like most people, I would question the Lord to see if I missed Him, and when I was sure I didn’t I continued doing what I felt in my heart I should be doing. “Just keep on keepin on baby, just keep on keepin on!”
Eventually I began seeing some fruit! I give God all the glory for everything as I can or could do nothing without Him. I list some of the fruit not to be boastful or to act as though I have arrived. No, I simply want to acknowledge that with the Lords help, my husband and I have built a life of 33 years. My children are growing up to be fine young men who love the Lord! What else could I ask for? I am hardly a famous artist but I love to paint and as a result have sold several paintings. I am not a famous author yet, but I have four books published with many more on the way. These small accomplishments I count as fruit! I have been in Women’s Ministry for many years and I have seen many of the women’s lives transformed by the power of GOD. I have not seen all the fruit that I’ve sowed my life into to produce, but I am still moving in a perfect destined direction laid out for me by Father GOD. I am convinced I am just getting started and that I will get to see all of it! The Lord tells us that if we leave things behind to follow him and his plan for our lives that we will see great reward not only in Heaven but in this life on earth!
Right now, I am sort of racing in different directions because I’ve been so busy, but the main thing I have to guard against is just doing things, without having a clear direction or goal as to why I am doing them. Face it we all can busy ourselves, but that doesn’t mean that we are doing what we should be doing in the Lord to get us where we need to be. All too often, we are busy because we have not mastered the art of saying “NO!” Although the Lord opens many doors, we have to know that the enemy will shove us through some doors as well if we do not master the art of saying “No”! It is difficult to say, “I cannot do that or No, I do not believe I am to be involved with that!” I’ve always been one that if I took on something or said “Yes”, I would beat it absolutely to death before I gave up on it! The proverbial beat the dead horse syndrome…I had it and honestly may still have traces of it in my system, so I have to be very tuned in to the Lord to make for sure I am hearing him and following his direction.
Peace is always my compass! If I feel like I am being driven instead of lead I will not have peace. If I find myself feeling anxious, being short-tempered and very impatient not only with myself but with others, then I must stop what I am doing and run back into the Lord’s presence and wait until I get clear direction. When I am in the center of the Lord’s will I will always have peace. However, that is not to say that I may not feel a little overwhelmed with what I have to do. I can do nothing without Him so when He co-labors with me to accomplish what He desires for me to accomplish, I can do it! I have been in such a place of peace that even though I had much labor to put in, it never seemed like work or labor at all! It was just perfect peace and joy to do those things! The Scripture tells us to labor to enter into His rest! Our labor is not to do everything by the sweat of our brawl, but instead to get into our prayer closets often, alone with him and be still enough, long enough to hear his still small voice direct us. Stay in the closet until you have a clear direction and peace like a rudder to steer your boat in the direction that he is blowing you in! Let God’s peace that surpasses all understanding be your compass! Bless you, may the GOD of all peace be with you and co-labor with you to receive all of his great promises!
Home Sweet Home!
Proverbs 10:22 (KJV) The blessing of the LORD, it makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
I hope that this week’s blog does not bore the readers, but will encourage you! If you have family that loves you, I hope that you know how fortunate you are. That you are richer than you even think! Yes, most families have disagreements, arguments and even right down feuds, but at the end of the day, this is what you’ve been blessed with. God has reason behind putting you into your family. Maybe you are to be the example of who He is and go and love the unlovely anyway regardless of all their little quirks! Have you taken a good look in the mirror lately, if so, surely you can see that God has such a sense of humor! Maybe he wants us to laugh and learn to be joyful. It is my opinion that your family is your first test! If you can get along with them, hey…you can get along with everyone else!
I am returning home from a 1300 mile round trip from Georgia, to Kentucky and Ohio to see as much family as I could in nine days. I have five sisters! With all of their individual families it is quite a large family when we all get together. The reunions with them were wonderful and the time spent was priceless. I feel when we get together that we honor our parents who have passed away, but are never too far away that we can’t feel them with us. I also feel that we do them proud as they were the glue that held us all together! Unfortunately, in this time we live in a lot of families do not get together unless a loved one has passed and they all show up for their funeral… That is why this visit was so sweet to me. It was visited because we wanted to visit, no sad circumstances but just a joyful time with family.
While I have gone from this sister’s home to this sister’s and yet again another sister’s home, it is amazing how much we all have in common. As I was welcomed in by my sister’s I realized how much of our parents was instilled in each of us. It would show in the way we prepared meals, or in the way we chose the décor for our homes. Everyone that I visited, of course, had a treasured memento displayed on their walls, or in a curio cabinet that at one time had belonged to our parents.
This visit “home” Vanceburg, Kentucky, was so sweet. I had not only spent time with my immediate family, sisters, their husbands, nephews, nieces, even new great nieces that I had never met until this trip, but I also was able to spend time with several of my Aunts on my Dad’s side of the family. I chuckle when I am with them because they are so full of life and seem to never age. They honored me by coming to my first book signing event that was held in my hometown! As one by one entered the doors of the Library’s community room, I was so overjoyed to see them. Each had stories to tell of times spent with my Dad and their parents which were my grandparents. I loved every second of it not only for my sake but for my two boys who was able to meet with their great aunts once again! Again the time was priceless!
After the trip and reunion in Kentucky, we drove further to Middletown, Ohio where one of my sisters and her husband live. Her two boys, my nephews, live there as well with their wives and children. My children are extremely close to her boys and their children so of course the visit with them was wonderful. We went to see the new home of one of the nephews, which was absolutely beautiful. Again I rejoiced as it is wonderful to see the Lord’s blessings being poured out from one generation to the next!
Finally, we arrived in Oberlin, Ohio to yet another sister’s home, which is pictured! This visit is always great as my sister and her husband host a huge “Hog Roasting” event that has turned into a family reunion/ friend fest of sorts. This made the 9th year I believe that they’ve had it at their own home. They rent huge tents and chairs, even a porta potty which we joke about, the whole shebang! It is a wonderful time of food and fellowship that people talk about throughout the whole year. They live out in the country with a lot of little towns surrounding them. I love to just drive through these small little towns. We see such uniquely built buildings that have stood the test of time and such beautiful old two-story homes. We love driving through the country and seeing all of the farms sown with soy beans and corn as far as your eye can see. If you look very carefully which we always do, there are herds of deer lined at the openings in the fields. We are always thrilled to see them. This year we saw several wild turkeys which made it even more exciting! My boys love it as they run around barefoot and stay up practically all night when they put the pig on to cook. They build a huge bon-fire and roast marsh mellows and hotdogs. Again the time spent with them is precious and even though we dread the 13 hour trip back home to Georgia, we love it!
I hope that this personal vacation blog did not bore you, but truly made you homesick to want to spend more time with your family. You are Rich! I hope that you value them as a treasure that you’ve been given and that if they don’t make the effort to be close, that maybe you will!
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