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Can't Stop
by Jennifer Champion Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:9-10 NIV) Galatians 6:9-10 is such wonderful encouragement for me today. I have my days when I feel like I am accomplishing nothing. It is discouraging for me when I see someone in pain, without shelter, without God and I am so limited in what I can do for them. I can pray for them, with them and yes, that is the truly the best thing I can do; my heart wants to do so much more. I've told the Lord that if I had this or if I had that, I could this or I could do that. He showed me to use what I have, what He has given me to help others but only to do it in His name. This was so heavy on my heart this morning and I am humbled. I have been reading books written by missionaries and the one that had the most impact on me, even though I cried deeply with each was the one about Mother Teresa. Page after page revealed her love for others but most importantly her love for Jesus Christ. Everything she did was in His name. Her love and compassion was beyond anything I had read before. Her nuns and she worked a simple plan that was clearly laid out and it worked. There was nothing flashy about them and they made it a point, a necessity actually to remove the things in their life that would prevent them from helping someone. They became poor on purpose. They reached out to the poorest of the poor and made themselves poor in order to do it. The choice to do so was out of pure love and faith in God, nothing more. Mother Teresa dragged person after person off the streets of Calcutta. Often they were lepers or had worms under their skin. They were nasty, sick, mentally ill, drunks, drug addicts, and prostitutes. She nursed them not only with simple clothing and a bowl of rice but with prayers. In the US, she was no different. She would often have AIDS patients that had gone to the hospital or hospice to die but made a final request to come back to her home to do so. She would send someone or go herself to get them and bring them back. I know she had to be tired but she never grew weary in doing good for the Lord and in helping others. For the next few weeks, I will be seeking the Lord for definitive guidance for The Find HOPE Here Project. I know He wants me to help the homeless. It is my mission but with it, it is to lead them to Him. He is the God for all people and All Lives Matter. I pray that I do not grow weary even though I may grow tired. May He lift me up when I am fallen and give my strength to carry on another day. He has paired me with a wonderful husband, Patrick and he has a servant's heart. He is one of the most generous and gentle men I know. He is a God fearing man and I know that I will not walk alone in my endeavors. Jennifer Rubino Champion is actively involved in prison and jail ministry in Central and West Alabama. She and her husband Patrick have five children and a fur baby, Maggie. She is an author and artist and you can visit her website at www.jenniferchampion.com Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |