Life on the Hill

If you ask, you'd better be prepared for the answer!

Our congregation is small. Only about 12 families.  The Lord has given us a desire in the last year to reach out more to the community and show His Love so we asked Him what we should do.  That's the thing.  Don't ask unless you want the answer, because He WILL answer.  And when he does, you can't say "But I don't have the time" or "but that isn't what I had in mind". In fact, the answer will probably be something you could not have dreamed of, because of course, His ways are so far above our ways.  We started by putting together a couple of Thanksgiving baskets last year----which grew to 8 baskets.  That may not seem like much to you, but remember, we are small and most are older and living on a very limited income.  But the Lord showed us our riches in Him by putting families in our path that really didn't have anything ---- and what a joy and a priviledge to help them!!

Then, our pastor's wife started making prayer shawls.  You know what they are, right?  They are lap coverings or shawls crocheted for a particular person and the one making the blanket prays for the recipient during the construction.  It really is a tangible reminder to one who is sick or needy that someone loves them and is praying for them.  That got some of us thinking of what else we could do along the same line.  I used to quilt a lot and love to, but have not taken the time or replaced my broken machine.  Seeing Pam's shawls rekindled a drive to make something for someone else.  I pondered this for several weeks, then the Lord gave me an answer.  I was at work and my pt had lost her 21 wk baby.  I had nothing to send home with this mom ---all our baby clothing and blankets were too big.  Someone experiencing this kind of loss needs somthing soft, something tangible to hold on to when they grieve, that connects them to the baby and it's birth.  So I found a pattern for a tiny pocket blanket we could make and give to the hospital for the parents experiencing this kind of loss.  So now on Wednesdays, some of us meet down at the church with a few sewing machines and fabric, and sew.  I hope we are able to use this time together to do something for someone that will help them feel His love.

We have also been approached by some friends of our family who are administrators of a homeschool cover school.  In Alabama, we legally homeschool by being under a church ministry or "umbrella" school.  Our church has had a homeschool ministry for almost 20 years now but it has been primarily for our members or family.  Well, our friend's cover school is losing their sponsorship because the church that has been covering them is closing their doors.  They have asked us to be their sponsor --- and they have over 200 families in their organization!  Again, an opportunity to minister to the community.  This will spur us to create that website I have felt led to put up and give our pastors and congregation (esp my DH) encouragement to write  --- we will have a Pastor's corner on their website where we answer bibical questions and post articles about the Bible and the Christian walk.

So, the Lord has answered our question.  Now we must not be weary in well doing, but look to Him to multipy our efforts to make enough time for all He has called us to do.

Untitled Comment

8:31 AM, Jul. 5, 2008 .. Posted by MamaDuke

Welcome back! I wondered what happened to you. I'm glad to hear that you're feeling better and sorry to hear that you were in so much pain. The Lord does have reasons for the things that we go through, whether we understand them or not. Sometimes later on in life we get the "Aha! Now I know why!" experience, but not always. I'm glad to see you're back and hope to be reading more of your blogs.
God's blessings,
MamaDuke