• Aug. 15, 2006
Tuesday's Devotions to Encourage Stay-at-Home Moms
Generous with God’s Purpose
What you are is God’s gift to you. What you make of yourself is your gift to God.
- Vern McLellan
It wasn’t until I reached my upper 20’s that I really understood that God has a unique purpose for each person, and that He generously gives special gifts and talents to make fulfilling that purpose possible. I spent many years thinking about what my purpose might be, first fleetingly, and then more and more often. I started by making a mental inventory of my gifts and talents, and they really didn’t seem anything all that great or purposeful to me. The things that did seem purposeful, didn’t seem possible.
That’s when I did what I should have done first, and I began praying about it. I soon realized that my purpose was something so simple that I had looked right past it in search of something flashier. As it turns out, I believe my God-given purpose is simply to be an encourager.
That’s it – it’s not flashy, is it? But, it is something I can do every single day, and it is something I love to do. I can encourage my family and friends by listening empathetically and happily giving them my time. I can encourage homeschool moms through conversations at book fairs, in my devotional, on my website, and on my blog. I can even encourage the tired overworked cashier at the grocery store with just a kind word or two. When I really begin to think about it, the possibilities are limitless. It may not be flashy, but it’s something I’m good at, and I plan to be as generous with my encouragement as God has been generous with me.
Bible Connection:
Dorcas Is Generous with God’s Purpose
Dorcas was always doing good and helping the poor. She soon became sick and died, and Peter came at once. Peter went upstairs to see her. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made for them. Peter sent them all out of the room, prayed on his knees, and said, “Dorcas, get up.” She opened her eyes and sat up. Peter took her by the hand and helped her up. Then he called in all of the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. (Acts 9:36-41)
Personal Connection
Role #1: Christian Woman
Dorcas’ God-given purpose was to help the poor. That’s it – it’s not flashy, is it? When she died, no one famous mourned for her, but the poor widows wept. Why was Dorcas given a second chance at life, while so many other noteworthy people in the Bible weren’t? Maybe it was because Dorcas was fulfilling her God-given purpose in a generous way. Whatever the reason, when we fulfill God’s purpose, we please Him, and since He is our Creator, Lord, and Savior, pleasing Him is a pretty important thing to do.
Prayer to Share: Lord, please help me to know the purpose You’ve created me for, and please help me to fulfill that purpose generously.
Question: What are your gifts and talents, and how can they be used to fulfill God’s purpose for you?
