Last weekend I was able to spend time with some wonderful women who have a heart for giving and serving. There were two groups at this function and both deserve high praise!
The first group spent the better part of a morning transforming plain round tables and padded folding chairs into sparkling reflections of the glorious celebration of our Saviour’s birth. Stately centerpieces, accented in silver, red and green, rested on tables dressed in white linen surrounded by eight white linen-covered chairs. They lovingly placed table-settings, filled luncheon plates with delicious food, waited on tables and cleaned-up after the luncheon was over. These ladies were beautiful, inside and out! Each servant-heart was evident in their smiles and their quick responses to any need expressed!
The other group is just as giving, just as loving, just as selfless. This group was composed of single moms who spend most of their lives unaware of their personal needs. Their days are spent as caretakers, chauffeurs, teachers, nurses, short-order cooks, encyclopedias, sole-bread-winners, absentee-fathers, quick-stop-shoppers, accountants, disciplinarians and the primary source of tender-loving-care in the home. They give until they drop into bed at the end of the day and are expected to get up and do it all over again the next morning! And those are the ones blessed with healthy children who sleep all night long! There are moms who do not have that luxury; the moms who spend most days reacting and fighting the urge to respond with frustration and anger because of a lack of sleep!
This second group, the single-moms, was the group served and pampered and praised and appreciated. This group was made aware of other moms out there who have seen their struggles… moms who have husbands to help earn the income, help make the decisions and help raise the kids; women who have seen the stress placed on single-moms and want to encourage them and help them and bless them!
Such is the leadership of our church! Instead of turning their faces and whispering as these ladies pass, our leadership has decided to uplift and undergird this amazing group of single women who know that God, Himself, is the father to their children and the only defender and husband that they can count on! Our leadership knows that God is aware of each situation and that it is not their purpose to take on God’s responsibility of judging the earth! I am grateful to learn from these wonderful ladies and gentlemen!
I am thankful to be part of a church who makes God’s Word the focus of EVERY situation. These mighty men and women of God love in a way that is rarely seen. They love with the love of Jesus! They don’t even know they are loving others most of the time… it is second-nature… the nature of God Himself! My thanks to each of them for every personal example!!!
So, as I was blessed by the experience, I challenge each of you to spend time giving this Christmas Season… giving in ways you may not have thought of before! Ask God for His ideas and don’t be amazed at how many come to mind!
God is the original and consummate Giver! You cannot out-give Him, but you may want to try! He will bless your every effort!
*** If you are looking for a church-home and you live in the Phoenix area, come join us at Living Word Bible Church in Mesa, Arizona!!! Visit http://www.livingwordonline.org to learn more! Hope to see you there!***