All in Serving
Our Mission in Life: Serving God in Every Season
Sometimes, He calls us to a role for just a season. Other times, the assignment lasts for years, even a lifetime. When I was actively serving and encouraging women in vocational ministry—walking alongside women’s leaders while living life, parenting, church, and community—I came to realize that discipling and leading women wasn’t just something I did. It was a deep calling. And it still is.
Taking Each Step
So much joy occurs in watching your baby take the first step! It is so exciting! Picture grandparents crowding around with the camera ready. Mommy, behind the baby, holding her up. Daddy, with outstretched arms, inviting his baby to walk toward him, encouraging her to take that first step… and each one after that!
Renewed Day by Day
Paul encourages me day by day… to go through my life, focusing on my relationship with the Lord and the supernatural power of God’s presence within. This is the treasure! My strength will be renewed by His Holy Spirit. I am to trust Him to fill me with His amazing love, strength, and peace. He will help me live the worthy and called life.
Don’t Despise the Day of Small Beginnings
The Christmas story is about small beginnings. It revolves around the birth of an infant—one vastly different from any other infant ever born. This infant was the majestic, eternal Son of God. The mighty Lord God became man to fulfill His work of salvation offered to all mankind. A small beginning became God’s greatest work and greatest gift to you and me.
The Sandwich Generation
I am in the sandwich generation. Do you know what that means? If you have lived it, you do. I am in the season of life where I have aging parents on one side of me and on the other side of me, I have young adult children with small children. As a result, I am sandwiched by the two generations. It is a privilege to serve both sides! But sometimes, it can get a little busy, with so many ways to help and serve others.
A Good Example
Amid the feverish unpacking of boxes I heard the chime of the doorbell. When I opened the front door I discovered our teenage neighbor standing there with cookies, flowers, and a card in her hands.
A God Assignment
What neighborhood do you live in? Where do you work? Who do you live with? Where do you shop? Who do you often pass by without even noticing?
May I Help You With That?
Moses wondered how he could keep going. God had shown up in miraculous ways for Moses and the Israelites. With God’s help, Moses had performed signs and wonders before Pharaoh, led the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt, crossed the Red Sea on dry land, and provided manna, quail and water in a barren wilderness.
Buying Time
Where does the time go? Wouldn’t it be nice to have more time? I feel like I could accomplish so much more if I had more than twenty-four hours each day or if I didn’t need sleep.
Created with Purpose
The hot pan holders I made serve the purpose of keeping hands from burning when picking up something hot. Ephesians 2:10 tells us God made us for a purpose. Every human being has a God-given purpose. He made us with meaning and a reason to be here.
So, what are we to do with this information?
Our Unique Giftedness
I love getting gifts! Most of us do. I especially enjoy getting an unexpected surprise. Last year I received a beautiful surprise orchid! And it’s in bloom again as I write this.
His Treasured Possession
Then—Malachi’s words cut to the core of those who feared the LORD. Having come to their senses and repented of any personal falling away, they got together to talk it over. The Hebrew suggests this was not just one meeting, but occurred regularly and nurtured their faith. I cannot help but think they spent a lot of time speaking about the goodness of God in their lives—they honored His name!
FERVENCY
Have you ever listed the women who have most influenced your life? Luke’s list makes me wonder why Mary, Joanna, Susanna and the many others who served Jesus during his life were notable in first century AD. Surely these women suffered. I’m not sure if I could have endured an exorcism administered over Mary to cast out seven demons. Who would have the stamina to serve and live in the household of Herod?
New Seasons
After retiring from a hectic career that involved continual travel across the country and even beyond at times, I went through transition. Being a task oriented planner, I struggled at times to figure out this new season of life.
Serving God
My siblings and I often complained that Mother never watched television with us. The reason? She fell asleep whenever she sat down! Once I became a mother, I quickly understood the exhaustion from her long day of serving her family.
Leave Some
The incorporation of frugality into one’s life has its place. Greediness does not. Many of us make sure we get everything we have earned because we believe we deserve it. God’s Word surprises me, at times, because his instructions are very practical and specific.
Mosquitoes and Mustard Seeds
How often do you think about your pinky toe? Not very often, I would suspect. That is, until you stub and break it! Then, all you seem to think about is that toe.
Mercy Gifts
The dollar bills I keep in the console of my car are sweet reminders of my youngest grandson. While in my car one day he said, “My Dad has thousands of dollars in his car so that he can give to homeless people.” Wow! Out of the mouths of babes. I sense caution sometimes about when and why I should give a handout to a person regardless of their disheveled appearance. Obviously, personal safety is an important issue because our world is a dangerous place—just as it was when Jesus walked on this earth.
Mosquitoes and Mustard Seeds
How often do you think about your pinky toe? Not very often, I would suspect. That is, until you stub and break it! Then, all you seem to think about is that toe.