Mess

The world we live in is imperfect. And each person has their own mess… some self induced, others due to external factors. Most people relish in my eternal optimism, but some of my friends scowl and fuss at me, claiming that I overlook all the bad in the world. Folks—this post is for you!

Friends, you are right! At the risk of sounding like a pessimist, there is a LOT of pain in the world. As Americans living in a free country that is wealthy compared to 95% of the world, it can be difficult to keep perspective. But pain exists everywhere—around the world, down the block, even in the walls of your own home (if you are blessed enough to have one).

Sometimes it can be overwhelming if we think of all the pain and hate in the world, both currently and in the mind of mankind. That there are people out there who are hurting so badly that they actually feel release through hurting others.

I point this out because I have blogged about gratitude and the incredible importance of recognizing our blessings. But it is not enough to recognize what we have. We should also be thankful for those experiences we have not had to endure. But gratitude for the lack of pain is NOT ENOUGH. We should educate ourselves, grow in understanding of those around us and seek to empathize.

Do unto others as you’d have done to you is more than a calling or a privilege—it is our duty. I would encourage you that as you travel through your day to day life, you take the opportunity to acknowledge the pain in the world. Recognize it. Name it. Then do something about it.

As I prepare for the upcoming journey and the holiday season, I pray that God will continue to stretch each of us—calling us out of our comfort zones to give back in an intense and challenging way. This doesn’t mean heading around the world per say… it just means sharing generously! We all have gifts. We all have callings. God created us with differing passions so that all areas of need would be reached out to...

There is a woman at my church who runs a ministry for young mothers who have no one to help them during their pregnancies. She coordinates this ministry-- the Gabriel Project-- to collect toys, diapers, car seats, cribs, etc. for these young mothers. The volunteers make sure the women are in safe environments, get the food they need, and go to their doctors visits. They offer them emotional support and love during their pregnancies and after the birth of their babies. This lovely soul, in addition to coordinating this project, recently opened her home to a 16 year old young lady with two babies under the age of 2.

Was she concerned about taking this step? YES!

Did she pray about it? YES!

Did she realize that she was gifted with a lovely home and that she could stretch herself to share this gift with someone who needed a place to stay-- and even more-- a family to belong to? YES!

And she shared with me recently the incredible blessings that have come from her yes. This young woman and her babies have become a permanent part of their life. Through her actions, she may have turned these three lives around, and in turn, they will continue to pass the generosity along.

There is another lovely and sweet soul at my work who is a self proclaimed "bird lady." She is an animal lover like no other and devotes much of her time and money to ministering to animals. I do not have this gift. And that is why I appreciate it all the more in her. I love MY cat, but I don't have the ability to love all animals with the intensity she does. But I can support her in her ministry to her animals.

So here is where you come in. What ministry do you support? What is your calling? What gifts have you received or witnessed as a result of you giving back? Please comment on this blog. And attach the web address of the ministries you support. Perhaps your story will reach out to someone reading this blog and you will broaden their heart.