Refuge for a Single Mom

1 Praise the LORD!

How blessed is the man who fears the LORD,

Who greatly delights in His commandments.

2 His descendants will be mighty on earth;

The generation of the upright will be blessed.

3 Wealth and riches are in his house,

And his righteousness endures forever.

4 Light arises in the darkness for the upright;

He is gracious and compassionate and righteous.

5 It is well with the man who is gracious and lends;

He will maintain his cause in judgment.

6 For he will never be shaken;

The righteous will be remembered forever.

7 He will not fear evil tidings;

His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

8 His heart is upheld, he will not fear,

Until he looks with satisfaction on his adversaries.

9 He has given freely to the poor,

His righteousness endures forever;

His horn will be exalted in honor.

10 The wicked will see it and be vexed,

He will gnash his teeth and melt away;

The desire of the wicked will perish.   Psalm 112:1-10

Whew!  It has been really hard to dedicate time to the computer lately!  We have been on a quest to find a new car.  What an agonizing venture this is!  Something that should be so much fun is absolutely horrific!  Car dealers (most of the ones I`ve dealt with) have absolutely no concern or regard for their customers!  They just want to get you in whatever will generate the most commission for them!  Well, this search remains ongoing, but I`ll be sure to let you know how it turns out.

Also a very time consuming (but SO gratifying) task has been my new mission to generate sponsors for “Jenna`s Team”!  When I read Jenna`s story and learned of the trials and heartaches that this family has endured, I just felt that deep down sense of commitment to do `something`!!!

It`s been very disheartening for me to learn that most people don`t see it this way.  Although I sent out many, many requests for even just $1 donations, I found that wasn`t something that interested people!  (I mean all I could think was if a message board had 500 members and ½ of them donated $1, that would be $250 for the March of Dimes!  This wasn`t the case.)

On the other hand, I have to give a `hip hip hooray` to the few internet gals that stepped up, the ladies at the dentist`s office, the employees at Mom`s work, the American Legion and to my church.  When presented with the opportunity to do something good, kind and generous, we found people digging for every penny they had on them or even doubling the requested donations!  Whoo Hoo!  You guys rock!

This leads me to my thought for this weekend.  GENEROSITY

The generous man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered.  Proverbs 11:25

There are a lot of ways that we can be generous.  Besides monetary donations or contributions, we can give of our time, energy, talents, etc.  Quite frankly, it is Christ-like to be generous and giving! I also feel that if you have Jesus Christ in your heart, it comes naturally!

17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.  I Timothy 6:17-19

We are all so very different and have many different talents and abilities.  It`s important that we utilize these talents and share ourselves, (even if that means opening our wallets sometimes) ultimately glorifying God and spreading His Word!  It`s important for each and every one of us to step up and do whatever we possibly can!  There are so many hurting and struggling people out there.  Think about people that have had a positive impact on your life . . . a preacher, a teacher, a friend . . . what if they had stifled their gifts?  What if they hadn`t reached out to you?  Where would YOU be?  Personally, I shudder to think about it!

1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. 20 “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  Romans 12:1-21

Step out!  Have faith in God`s plan for you!  Someone out there needs you!  *wink*

Labels: Generosity, Godliness