Memory Verse: Psalms 26:2 NIV
Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind.

Assignment: This week I want you to do something for someone else. Do you have a neighbor that needs you? Do you know an elderly person or single mom that could use you? What about the homeless? Pack even one single sack lunch and give it to someone in need. Do you know someone in blogland that is struggling right now and could use a note from you about how much you care? Pray about this. Let God put on your heart the perfect thing for you to do for another. Now, here is the kicker…I DO NOT want you to post about what you do. Whatever you choose to do is between you and God. Our rewards are in heaven, not here on earth, Mathew 6:1. I want you to post about how doing this “act” made you feel. Was stepping out of your comfort zone in this area as hard as you thought it might be? Could you see the gratefulness in their eyes? Hear it in their voice? Tell it from their typing? Do you think you might make doing things like this a more regular part of your time?  If this is an area that you are already active in, tell us how you feel this has impacted your life.

I’ve been thinking all week on this assignment and the Lord keeps directing me to a particular thing. Like the assignment says, it’s between me and God and I pray that it doesn’t stop with the one thing. J  It is a thing that takes me out of my comfort zone and has really got me thinking! I think for me this assignment has been good for me to learn to take the time to think about helping someone and not just jump into doing as many things as come my way just because they are good things to do. I know in some ways that sounds backwards but there have been times over the past couple of years that I have been overwhelmed with good things to do for others. Even though I do not regret doing those things….it blessed me to see God give the strength and ability needed to serve how he had me serve! And I give all the credit to him! But I have also come to realize the need to slow down and think about those things that come up that are not just a simple “What do you think, Lord?” “Yes, do it, daughter.” There are so many needs here! I could literally run myself to death trying to meet the needs of people I see everyday in need. But is that what God wants me to do? I have had to really pray about this alone and with Shane to know what it is God has for me.

And there’s a balance too. I never want to use thinking and praying about serving others as an excuse to ignore God’s nudge to help someone at any time. But I realized I interpret guilt as a nudge from God and it’s not! This is definitely a learning process that I am sure I will be learning my whole life.

Matthew 6:3-4 – “But when you give to someone, don’t tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in secret, and your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.”