Me, Change the World?

In order to appreciate today's post, you have to read yesterday's first. If you haven't, go ahead, I'll wait......

At church today, the topic of the sermon was "Becoming a World Changer". Don't you just love it when God picks up that brick and throws it right at your head?! While I'm knee-deep in my struggle with trying to serve, He brings me a message like this one. A world changer? Really, me? Exactly when do I fit that into my schedule? After soccer practice? Maybe while the washing machine is going? Or perhaps cutting out some of my 30 minutes or so it takes me to eat lunch?

One of the points Curt touched on was this: "A world changer is anyone who serves to better the life of someone else." And right then, it hit me.

Let me break down that statement. A world changer is anyone (not a whole bunch of people, or a church, or an organization...ONE) who serves to better the life of someone else. (Not the world, not a city, not even a neighborhood...ONE.)

It reminded me of something I read once. "To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may just be the world." I think I may be on to something here. God is trying to let me know that He doesn't expect me to be the next Nelson Mandela, or Steven Curtis Chapman, or even Ty Pennington. I just have to be me. I don't have to single-handedly create a new charitable foundation, I just need to be there for someone in need. A song from Casting Crowns says it best, "love them like Jesus". I could bring sandwiches to the people under the bridge, or visit with seniors at the nursing home, even something as small as offering a shoulder to a friend who is troubled.

As I pointed out in yesterday's post, everything big began as something small. You can't start a fire without a spark. I don't need a business plan just to spread God's love. I just need to focus on what I can do today. Well, today is nearly done so, I'll prepare for tomorrow. I can't wait to see what my Mighty, Powerful God has in store for me.

Making a Difference

I've been struggling lately with where to go next in my walk with God. I know He has a plan for everybody and I've been praying for God to show me the steps He would have me take. I'm still working on my faith, not that I don't believe with all my heart, I do. But its so difficult to muster the courage to live by that faith, to remember that "I can do all everything through him who gives me strength. Phil 4:13".

Its easy to let the enemy convince me that I'm not smart enough, strong enough, determined enough. In trying to find my place to serve, I've focused on looking for an organization, charity, whatever, where I can donate money or volunteer my time. But tonight, I watched a program called CNN:Heroes. They were honoring regular, ordinary people who have made significant contributions to the world. Most of them were simple people with simple ideas.

There was a guy who makes prothestic legs for people in Mexico.

A man who started a first responders service for areas hit by natural disasters.

A Hollywood nanny who sends a third of her paycheck to fund a school in her homeland for AIDS orphans.

A man from Ethiopia brought books and literacy programs to the children there.

A former inmate who started a video project to keep children in touch with their incarcerated parents.

An early morning runner has logged more than 5,000 miles running with shelter residents who receive shoes and running gear in exchange for staying clean and sober.

A woman quit her job and moved from Washington to New Orleans. Since June of 2006, she has helped 120 families rebuild and move back into their homes.

A Cambodian woman dedicated her life to providing free education, food and healthcare to kids living out of a trash dump.

A lady in Texas crosses the border several times a week to provide food, clothes and toys to impoverished families in Juarez, Mexico.

A grandmother in Somalia who started teaching 20 kids in her home now educates 1,500 girls in 6 locations. 1,000 more are waiting to enroll.

These people took what they knew and turned it into something great. Nothing special about them, besides their dedication and faith. Most of them thanked God in their speeches. I've been so conditioned to think that one person can't make a difference. But here are 10 people that did. They made a BIG difference, just by using what they already had. Most of them had no special talents, just compassion.

So what can I do? I feel certain that God planned for me to see this program, to remind me that I can do anything. I am so thankful for His little daily reminders, and that He opens my eyes to them. What will I do with this knowledge? Where do I start? I have a couple of ideas, nothing big, nothing earth-shattering. But then again, maybe to a few it will be. After all, these 10 people started small, and their projects took on a life of their own and grew.

So I will continue to pray for God's guidance. And I will quit listening to myself and listen to Him. And I will take those first steps in faith and see where He leads me. The path may change over time, but as long as I am following Him, I will never be lost.

Take Less, Give More

Have you heard the news out of Platteville, Co.? Most mainstream news outlets probably didn't report on it but I heard about it on a nationally syndicated Christian radio station. Let me start by going to His Word.

"When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien." Lev. 19:9-10

That's what Chris and Joe Miller did on Nov.22. They own a 600 acre farm and had a bountiful harvest this year. After the harvest, they decided to open their farm to anyone who wanted to pick up what was left over of the potatoes, onions, carrots and beets. They expected 5,000-10,000 people. 40,000 showed up.

I was completely blown away when I heard this story. Most of us know people who do good deeds, but isn't this way over the top? Especially in a world where extreme greed has resulted in a failing economy, everybody wants more, more, more. The Millers might have gone over their fields a second time (I'm not a farmer, maybe it wasn't cost effective). They could have discounted the produce for anyone who wanted to pick it themselves. This is, after all, their bread-and-butter. Who couldn't use more income right about now? And they could have taken the very easy route and just let it rot on the ground, then turned under when the next planting season came. But no, they decided that they had already been blessed enough with such a bumper crop.

I don't know if the Millers are Christians, none of the news reports mentioned the Lord's instruction to do this very thing. Regardless, God has used them to affect thousands of people. I live in Georgia so I wasn't there for the gleaning, but I have been inspired by these Colorado farmers.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Have you all enjoyed your holiday? I hope your day was filled with lots of delicious goodies! Ours? Well, we had our feast a couple of weeks ago. We had decided that today we would be servants.

Our day began with breakfast at Waffle House. The girls just love going there, being one of the "usuals". The love to pretend they work there. So today, one of the ladies suprised them by giving each of them a menu and orderpad to take home. They've been shouting out orders all day long. After breakfast, we drove through Rose Hill Cemetary to show them the Confederate graves. The stories of soldiers' sacrifices didn't really register, but they thought all the granite and marble statues and crosses were really cool.

On from there to our intended destination, The Salvation Army. We arrived, signed in and were told to wash up and put on gloves. We got our assignments and waited for 11:30. The line outside poured in and we told them that today, they didn't have to stand in line. "Have a seat, today we're serving you." Kenley, who is seven, brought plates while Chloe, five, handed out forks and napkins.

But after that initial seating, there were no more. Should I be disappointed that our service lasted all of 20 minutes, or should I be happy that the low turnout must mean that nobody went hungry today? There are several shelters and soup kitchens in town, so I hope that everyone found a hot meal. As for the lesson we were trying to teach our girls, they're probably still too young to really get it. But we've planted the seed.

As for my husband, this was not exactly his thing. But he was supportive of my decision and wanted this to be something we did as a family. I had hoped this might even become a tradition for us. And then she happened. During the "rush", Ken was spooning dressing onto plates and spoke up to say we would need another pan. Her reply was, "Sir, I'm in charge here and that's not your place. Your job is to serve food." She was rude, ungrateful and downright arrogant. I know a job is still just work, but why would someone so uncaring get into the business of caring for others? Is it only a paycheck for her, has being surrounded by indigents hardened her? I don't know why, but she spoke loudly and harshly to my husband. Ken is so easy going though, so he took it all in stride. And we joked about him getting in trouble, and that he should only speak when spoken to. Afterward, he said he had done it and now it was over. Next year, he'd be eating his own turkey and napping on the sofa. So much for potential traditions.

Well, there are plenty of other ways to serve God. They certainly didn't need us there today, there were more volunteers than mouths to feed. (I wonder now what they did with all that leftover food.) Maybe next year we'll bring canned goods to the food bank, they're always short this time of year. Whatever, I have faith that God will guide my steps. I'm early in my walk and I know He has wonderful plans for me. And for that, I am most thankful!

I Am Thankful For...

Jesus!!

my beautiful, kind, caring daughters.

my husband and his gentle heart.

Piedmont Church.

the state of our economy reminding me that "money is the root of all evil".

my best friend of 28 years, Lisa!

sushi!

my kids' school.

butterfly and eskimo kisses.

being an American!

music that uplifts my spirit.

watching my kids dance.

What Happened To Thanksgiving?

I know, I know. Thanksgiving has really gotten the shaft in recent years. I think within the next decade, retailers will just leave Christmas decorations out 24/7/365. I only mention this because as I am writing this, my girls are busy decorating the tree...ALREADY! I guess its not that early, I usually put up the tree the weekend after Thanksgiving but I just couldn't wait this year. I just love the glow of the lights, the sparkle of the ornaments and the jumbled way the house feels with all the extra stuff around. I am always the one to decorate, always have been. As long as I can remember, I've done it, even growing up. But here I sit, watching my kids take over. Its sweet watching them work together and saying to each other, "hey, remember this one?" That's funny because they're only 5 and 7, how many Christmas memories could they possibly have? And I'm trying really, really hard not to fix, adjust or criticize. I've got just a touch of OCD, and although I'm not neat, I'm a perfectionist. I'm trying not to pass that on to my kids. So I'll just smile whenever I see our tree... our beautiful 8' tree... the one with no ornaments higher than 6'.
And as for Thanksgiving, I'm thankful that my kids are making memories, that God has given me enough peace to let me let them do it without me and that we have been blessed with plenty in a time when so many have not.

How This All Began

A few months ago I stopped by the bookstore for a new read. Not a big reader, well I wasn't before. So I'm scanning the books when one catches my eye. No particular reason why, I was just drawn to it. It took me only about 3 days to finish it, a new personal best. About midway through it, I new I was experiencing something wonderful! Enough suspense, it was The Shack by William Paul Young. If you haven't heard of it, we must have met under that rock you're still living under. If you have read it, you're in large company.

But really, I've skipped ahead. Before this book I was just your average mom, self-employed and living apart from God. I knew Him, was born-again in 1996 but turned away to do it my way. Then this book found its way into my hands.

I couldn't get enough! It was so beautifully written, so eloquent and tender and raw. Anyway, to sum it up, it left me absolutely craving more of Him! I began praying again, and I haven't been able to stop reading and learning about Him since. Even when I was "born-again" I didn't have this insatiable appetite for His word.

Over the last few months, God has been really busy with me. Not in that sweet, subtle, gentle way... but in that let-me-smack-you-upside-the-back-of-the-head kind of way. I guess He knew that I can be a bit stubborn, so He customized His plan especially for a self-centered, fear-of-failure, procrastinator like me. I've started attending a new church, joined a Bible study group and am committed to studying Him daily. Part of my routine includes reading several blogs which led me here. I figured if I enjoy blogs so much, why not have one of my own.

I have been praying for God to show me how I can serve Him. I don't know if this is one way or not. I'm not very diligent at finishing what I start so maybe this is a challenge, a chance to show how the power of God can change people. So bear with me, encourage me, hold me accountable, and let me know what you think.