REACHING OUT

I am learning that we need to be more open to others, and not be so concerned with ourselves.  It is so important to be there for one another.  You can learn more about yourself and God in reaching out to others. It can help you gain confidence in yourself, and it is a great feeling knowing you are helping to build God’s kingdom on this earth.

Ultimately, people need to put the Lord first, then their families and then others. But, all our attention should not be fixed on one thing; there should be some balance.
 
We have the responsibility to love others and to be there for them. It might not even be someone that you  met in person, especially today with the different kinds of social media. It can be a great tool to touch another’s life.  Be aware of the people God puts in your path each day, whether in physical contact or through another avenue.
 
One example of the blessing of social media in my life was in following my favorite Christian band, Third Day, on social media.
 

Because of our mutual following of Third Day, I became “friends” with a lady & her husband who had been at a Friends & Family camp hosted by Third Day in Georgia. I saw the couple at the camp but did not really talk to them there. She reached out to me on social media after the event. Her husband had some medical issues so she would be asking for prayer sometimes, at which point I would pray for them and try to encourage them. One day, it was amazing as she happened to post something saying her husband collapsed and to pray. I thank God that I saw that post a few moments after she posted it, so I started praying. It was very sad to hear the next day that he ended up dying.  But, I thought how special it was that people were praying for them so soon in their time of need. To this day, the lady and I keep in contact, and I try to offer support to her when I can.

 
  
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From left to right: Members of Third Day: Mark Lee, Tai Anderson, David Carr, & Mac Powell, along with some special, long time fans.

Take a moment to see how you can be open to the needs of others, at least once a day….

 
  • Maybe it’s giving a smile to the mom you see who is trying to calm her screaming child.
  • Maybe it’s sending a card on the anniversary of someone who has lost someone special.
  • Maybe it is asking the store clerk how her day is going and taking time to listen to her.
  • Maybe it is giving up your seat on the bus to someone else.
  • Maybe it is helping an elderly person unload their shopping cart when you see it would make it easier.

We should take every opportunity to reach out and make a difference in someone’s life, before it is too late. You never know when it will be the last chance, or when someone needs it in their most desperate moment. You might end up with a new friendship or help someone bear a burden that was heavy on their heart.   Maybe a small sacrifice on your part will be just what someone else needed.  In reaching out to others, your life will be made more abundant and blessed from above.

 

“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 25:40

AN UNEXPECTED PHONE CALL

A simple, one minute phone call made my day.
At the soup kitchen that we help at, there is an older gentleman there who works on our weekend doing the drinks.  He has many health issues as well as emotional issues, and I will admit that at first, it made me feel uncomfortable working with him.
As the years have gone by (about 13 now),  I have gained an appreciation for this gentleman.  He has shown me he is thoughtful, a great person, and a good Christian example.  I believe his heart is in the right place; something that is so important.
This evening, he called to wish us a nice vacation, as he must have remembered that we would not be there on our usual week this month (which is actually the day we return.)  We only see him one Saturday a month, so I thought it was pretty incredible that he remembered during the month, thought about us, and then took the time to call us.
If one of our kids happen to not be there helping a particular week, he will take a minute to ask about them. He still struggles remembering their names, but that is just fine.
This gentleman will also call us with a simple “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Thanksgiving” wish.  What a great example of reaching out to brighten someone’s day.
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               Photo courtesy of senatormarkudall under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
His one minute phone call made me feel special.  It really doesn’t take much time to make a difference in someone’s life. The simple things in life can be such a blessing!
Are there ways you can make a difference for another?  Maybe a simple phone call to tell your hairdresser you liked how she blended your hair color, a short message to let someone know you are praying for them,  or stopping by to drop off some cookies for your mechanic?  Be creative and see what works for you!
“Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,  not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”  Philippians 2:4