But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering
upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.
I love the smiles.
There is nothing better than taking a tough situation or a negative
thought and pushing it aside so you see the smile of the person you
encounter. That is one of my favorite
things to do as we meet new people through the outreach of our church.
We are in the middle of our largest outreach of the
year. It is almost for the back2school
event, and last night was the last registration time. We met some great people and reconnected with
a lot too. I was blessed and touched by
many of the conversations amidst the hot weather and the difficult times that
many people are having.
One of our leaders got my attention and pointed me in
the direction of a young mother and her child asking if I would go pray for
them. Yesterday she finished another
round of radiation as she is battling cancer.
We talked about her daughter and the upcoming school year. We talked about the hope that God offers, and
I had the honor of praying with this sweet lady. Yet my heart aches for the pain and struggle
that they are going through.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so
that you may be healed. The effective prayer
of a righteous man can accomplish much.
I noticed one of our clothes closet regulars waiting
to register her children. She is a
Hispanic lady with four awesome kids. As
I talked with them she shared with me that they were on vacation three weeks
ago when her husband, the children’s father, drowned in an accident at the
beach. He was 39. We talked a little more, and I got the honor
once again to pray with this special father.
My heart aches for them as life is much different these for this family.
Late in the evening I noticed a friend walk in the
door. This awesome couple pastors a
church in our area that has gone through very tough times. They have huge hearts for helping people and
seeing lives changed. Several people
from their church volunteered last night to help the event be even better. I so enjoyed talking with both of them about
what God is doing in their church and how we are partnering together. I love being able to work with great churches
and great people. We really are stronger
together.
Therefore encourage
one another and build up one another, just as you also are
doing.
There are more stories, but I will stop there. God put us here to make a difference, to
influence people for Him and to use our lives for His good. Find a place to serve, if you aren’t. If you are serving, keep on. God has much more in store for us as we seek
Him and serve others!
Comments