Making a Difference

There is nothing wrong with wealth. But money and wealth alone will not change the world. That's not what really makes a difference. We all want to make a difference. We all want to matter! God doesn't call us if we are equipped. He calls us...THEN He equips us! He desires to work in and through us. Yes, money and fame go a long way in helping others. However, when we serve others with our time, talents,  and gifts, not only can we make a difference and bless lives, we in turn are blessed. We experience a very different kind of joy. Serving and giving produce encouragement and peace and energy and positivity and strength. I believe it actually creates life. From that new life comes forth gratitude and health. We should never serve or help others in order to be blessed. But when we do serve others from our heart, we will be blessed, right along with those we help. It may not be convenient.  It may cost us time, energy, money and more. But when we work to lighten someone else's load, we ourselves will be transformed.

When our kids were young, every year at Christmas we visited nursing homes, sang Christmas carols and delivered small, inexpensive items such as gloves, hats, scarves, candy canes, etc. to the residents and homemade cookies to the nurses and staff. Our kids talked about it for weeks. Before long, we had friends and neighbors, along with their children, asking if they could tag along too. Eventually, we decided to go visit on Valentine's day, Easter, and Halloween. It's a great memory for our children as we felt like we were receiving the larger blessing.

Later, when I taught a homeschool yearbook/computer/writing/photography class, it was a mandatory assignment for the highschoolers to go sing at the Nursing home. They received bonus points if they brought homemade treats. At the end of the year when we reflected back on our school year, it was a highlight for many, if not most of the students. I think when people feel like they can contribute something to another person's life, all of a sudden extraordinary things can be accomplished. I believe it was JFK who said, "One person can make a difference, and everyone should try." As it says in Acts 20:35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

My heart was so burdened for those people in the Bahamas whose lives were devastated by the recent Hurricane Dorian. I searched off and on for days trying to figure out a way to make my way down there and bring some of them home to stay here so that I could serve them in some way ... whether by buying them clothes or feeding them food ... just provide the basic necessities of life. They wouldn't allow me to do it. So I served by staying before the throne and praying for them. Prayer does make a difference! Prayer grounds us and turns our focus away from ourselves and towards others. I sure would want someone to help us, or our loved ones, even if by just knowing they take time to remember us in prayer. Many seem cynical about prayer, but to a believer, prayer is vital. Prayer is a meeting place with God. Prayer does make a difference not only in the lives of others, but to the one who prays! Make a difference... Give. Serve. Pray.