Creating a Network of Love

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

Marcie was a social butterfly who was active in both her community and her church. She taught Sunday school to little kids, worked with the senior ministry, and handed out meals to the homeless.

Marcie built a huge network of people because she was so active. She could easily recommend the best plumber, mechanic, or handyman around. She always knew who was looking for work and who was hiring.

It wasn’t until she was helping a newly divorced father find a babysitter that Marcie realized how helpful her network was. She felt blessed that she knew so many wonderful people.

So, Marcie asked a friend who was gifted with the administration to help her organize a list of people she knew along with their contact information. The purpose of the list was so she could keep up with events in their personal lives and pray over them.

After completing the list, Marcie quickly discovered that she could help members connect with others in need even faster and she became the go-to source in her neighborhood.

Consider starting your own contact list. If known, add the dates of special events like birthdays and anniversaries. This will help you stay in touch with others and bless them throughout the year.

God, relationships are so valuable to You! Help me to treat everyone I meet and know with kindness and love. I want to shine Your light for all the world to see! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Teacher at Heart

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10

Diane had spent years of her life in a corporate job that she loved. But in her late fifties, Diane became sick. It started as muscle pain and fatigue so at first, Diane thought she was getting the flu.

But as the weeks dragged on and she still wasn’t bouncing back, she knew something was wrong. Eventually, she became too ill to work and had to leave her position at the company.

Not long after that, Diane became bedridden. Her doctors weren’t sure what was happening to her body and she spent hours crying out to God to heal her.

After several months had passed, Diane adjusted to her new routine. She spent hours studying the Bible and praying for others. She’d longed to teach the Word of God to other women when she was young but she’d never had the time.

Now with nothing but time, Diane began using Facebook Live to create Bible study groups. At first, she wanted to do it as a way to reach out to other women who might be homebound.

But she quickly discovered that women all over the world were tuning into her daily chats. Diane kept sharing what she was learning from God and eventually, a well-known publisher asked her to write a series of Bible study books.

With God’s help, Diane continues to minister to women today. What started as a tiny seed has become a large tree that allows Diane to comfort and inspire others.

God, help me to use every season of my life to glorify You. I long to be a faithful steward with every gift that You entrust to me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

The Family Legacy

“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:15

Jane was at work when she got the news that her father was in hospice care. Her brother urged her to come quickly and see their dad before he was gone.

When Jane arrived, she found her father hooked to various machines, dozing in and out of sleep. “When I saw him, all I could think about were all the nights I’d seen him stumble into the house drunk. His sober moments actually stand out in my childhood memories because they were so rare.”

While her dad slept, Jane cried softly. “I had just learned I was pregnant three weeks earlier. My father was an alcoholic, both of my brothers were, and I thought about my family’s legacy.”

Whether good or bad, every parent leaves a legacy. The legacy your parents left you might be filled with sweet memories that warm your heart or your parents may have given you a legacy of pain and shame.

You can’t change what your parents did or said. But that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to repeat history. You can choose to start a new branch on the family tree. Like Joshua, you can choose to become a household that serves God.

God, help me and my household to honor You. I want my family to walk in ways that please You. Show me how to encourage and love my family. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

When You’re Blessed with Abundance

“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain.” – Luke 12:18

In one of Jesus’ parables, He shared the story of a farmer who had an abundant harvest. This farmer decided that he would take his abundance and store it up so he’d have grain for years to come. Then he could relax and enjoy his wealth.

So, he decided to tear down his current barn and build another. But the farmer dies and leaves behind all of his wealth before he can put his plan into motion.

The point of the parable is not that it’s wrong to be wealthy. Rather, Jesus wanted to point out that the farmer kept all of his abundances for himself and hoarded.

When God has blessed you with more than enough in an area of your life, it can be tempting to hold tightly to it. You may have been blessed with more than enough money, more than enough health, or more than enough family.

Instead of keeping it to yourself, look for a way to share it with others, too. For example, if you’re healthy, volunteer to run errands for someone who is sick. If you’re surrounded by family, welcome someone into your life who is alone and needs community.

God, when I see all You’ve blessed me with, let me respond by sharing. I don’t want to spend my life trying to hoard what You’ve so generously given to me. From abundance, let me be a blessing to someone else. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

The Perfect Parent

“Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” – Psalm 27:10

Violet’s father was a quiet man who worked seven days a week to support his family. He made sure his kids never lacked anything. But words were hard for him and he rarely expressed his feelings out loud.

Violet was settled with her own family, happily raising three kids when the news came that her father could no longer live on his own. Her mother had passed away several years earlier.

“I talked it over with my husband and we decided to bring him home. I didn’t want strangers at a nursing home caring for him. I knew the stroke had taken his ability to speak but I wanted him to be surrounded by the love and warmth of family.”

One day, Violet was helping the home health aide care for her father when she saw scars on his back. Curious, she called her aunt to ask about them.

Her aunt sighed softly before she said, “Your grandmother had nine kids and your granddaddy—he was mean. Your father stood up to him, time and again he protected us. He was my hero, growing up, always saving people.”

The words shocked Violet. “I’d never considered where he’d come from before,” She said, “For the first time, I realized my dad carried a lot of pain, and maybe that’s why he struggled to say out loud how much we meant to him.”

Relationships with parents can be complicated. Sometimes, parents don’t express their feelings like Violet’s dad and sometimes, they aren’t supportive or kind.

You can’t change who your parents are or where they came from. But you can rest in the knowledge that God is holding onto you. He’s the perfect parent and He’ll never fail you or abandon you.

God, help me to remember that You are the perfect parent. When my heart is overwhelmed with hurt, let me turn to You for comfort. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Unexpected Detours

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” – Psalm 37:23-24

Aiden was a football player in his third year of college. He was hoping to be drafted by a professional football team as soon as he graduated with his degree.

There were already several scouts buzzing about him and his coach hinted that he thought Aiden would be a top draft pick when it came time.

But one day, Aiden was in a car accident when another driver lost control of his vehicle on an icy road. He survived the collision but his shoulder was damaged and his season was cut short.

A well-known surgeon performed an operation on Aiden’s shoulder and told him that with physical therapy, there was a good chance he could go on to play next season.

Although Aiden wondered why the accident had happened, he forced himself to stay positive. He focused on working hard at his physical therapy appointments.

One day while at the office, Aiden met Brittany, a young woman training to become a physical therapist. The two hit it off, bonding over their favorite movies and it wasn’t long before Aiden asked her out.

A year later, after being picked sixth in the draft, Aiden proposed to Brittany.

Aiden smiles when he reflects on the injury that he worried would ruin his career. “Without the accident, I never would have met Brittany. God sent me down a detour that I didn’t understand at the time. But I’m so thankful for it now.”

God, help me to trust in You when my life detours from what I thought it’d be. I believe You care about me and You have good plans for my life even if I can’t see them right now. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Seek His Face

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” – 1 Chronicles 16:11

Zach was at a crossroads in his professional life. He’d spent years working his way up in the family company. He enjoyed working with his loved ones but he also felt a yearning to do something different.

He’d started doing leather crafting in his spare time and he felt this nudge to start his own line of products. But he wasn’t sure if he should turn his new hobby into a business or continue with his current path.

His wife encouraged him to take time to seek God’s face before making a decision. “What does that even mean?” Zach wondered as he pulled his truck into the parking lot of his apartment complex.

As he came up the walk, he saw his toddler at the open front door. The boy was waving at his father with the biggest grin on his face as he chanted the word “Da-da” again and again.

Zach scooped his son up into his arms, realizing God had just answered his question. Sometimes, when you’re not sure what the next step is, it can be tempting to rush your decision and make the wrong move.

But as a child of God, you have access to your Heavenly Father. Instead of wrestling with this decision, take it to Him and wait patiently for Him to show you the way ahead.

God, when I don’t know the path ahead, please help me to seek Your face. Let me be willing to wait for You to guide my steps. In Jesus’ name, Amen.