Share
your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes
to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
There
are times when needs seem to be greater. It is at times like that we can
make a big difference in the lives of the people we are around. Some
people have a hard time seeing needs while others are over run with them.
Some
needs are on the surface like food, clothing and shelter, but other needs are
not seen and sometimes very hard to see.
That is why connecting with people, having conversations and genuinely
caring for others is a huge deal. The
best place to start meeting needs is to recognize it and do something. Lend a hand, give a meal, listen for a few
minutes, offer a hug and so something to help someone in need. Often when we begin to meet the needs of
others we find that our needs get met as well.
As
it is winter and our area is about to be hit with extreme cold weather the
needs of those who do not have heat or don't have a place to stay come to our
mind. There are things we can do to help others. Are you willing to
meet the needs that you see?
One
way to meet those needs is to prepare yourself to meet needs. That might
consist of putting a few blankets, a few hygiene items or some food in your
trunk so that when you see someone who is in need, homeless or hungry that you
can meet the need you see. Another way
to meet a need is to volunteer with at a homeless or winter shelter, local
church or organization that is meeting needs. It could be a number of
places. Each needs volunteers year round. They also have need of
donations of money, food and other items.
A
sure way to see needs and begin meeting them is to ask God to help you see
needs. It is amazing when you start looking for things that you will
begin to see them. God will open your eyes and give you opportunities to
help others.
"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." - Mother Teresa
You
might not be able to do a lot, but you can do something. Provide a meal
for someone. Donate old blankets to shelters or clothes. Give money
to help an organization or even better give your time. Another way to
help people is simply to start conversations. Far too often we see people
and pass them by as we go through our day, much like the story Jesus told of
the Good Samaritan, but if we would give just a few minutes to talk to people,
we might find many things we can do.
God
cares about people. His desire is to let people see Him and know
Him. As we follow God we will begin to care more about people.
If
someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but
shows no compassion — how can God’s love be in that person?
I share
this because there are so many needs around us. Our church has had a
desire to provide a homeless shelter in our community for a long time, and it
seems that it is going to finally become a reality in the future, but there are
needs we can meet right now. The winter weather is making it hard on those
who have the greatest needs. There is a group of people in our community making
sure our Winter Warming Shelter is a success. Please pray for this
project and the people we serve.
“Find a hurt and heal it. Find a
need and fill.” - Tommy Barnett
May
God help you and I meet urgent needs as we see them. May God give us the
resources to help people that we come in contact with. Make a difference today. Serve others
by demonstrating the love of God.
NOTE: much of this post was originally
shared in January of 2014. If you would
like to help with our Winter Warming shelter, contact Sharon Peters to donate
items or to volunteer by calling 276-734-5882.
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