Making a Difference

It's been a LONG time since I've blogged. I didn't even know if I could still log into my account! But here we are!

I recently attended a beautiful outdoor women's event put on by my sweet friend who encouraged me so much during my original blogging, and she asked when I was doing the next one. I had zero plans to start this back up. But with her prompting, and me then opening my heart back up to this, God has been calling me to write again about some hard things. So for now we'll start with an easier topic and move onto the hard things later.

We often think that in order to make a difference it has to be this huge grand thing. We see missionaries going over seas, or organizations raising tons of money to help a huge cause. And while those things are amazing and needed, It can be intimidating, and if you get stuck there you'll never make any difference because it's too big or too hard.

What if is was as easy as sharing extra produce from your garden and then becoming great friends with the neighbor. Then that leads to spaghetti dinners and your kids/grandkids being friends and now you couldn't imagine your life without these special people in it.

What if you chose just one family to love on near you. First it starts with porch drops just to be encouraging, a coffee or little note as they open their front door. Then you see, Hey your kid needs some clothes let me see what we have in that size, hey I made way too much soup would you like some, hey I'm running to the store do you need anything? And soon they're blessing you back in the same way and you learn that there's a reason God made us not walk this life alone.

What if it was as simple as hey you live close to me, and we both have kids about the same age and interested in similar things let's have a play date. Then that play date gets pushed off for months because someone was sick or the weather didn't cooperate, or the kids had a rough day and you're about to give up. Then you don't give up and now these people are some of your closest friends. I'm so glad we didn't give up because this friend's unique laugh and fantastic sense of humor during the HARDEST of moments has gotten us both through some rough stuff. I have learned so much from her strength and we would have missed out on huge blessings if we would have let outside circumstances keep us apart. I think it was our second play date and we didn't even know each other that well yet and I was dealing with a hard phone call and she just grabbed my hands and prayed over me right there in her living room while our kids ran a muck in the background. If that's not making a difference I don't know what is.

What if it's showing up for your family any time help is needed even if you have to move your schedule around. Knowing you have someone like that in your corner is life changing.

When we first started attending our church we'd go to service, and leave as soon as the pastor said you're dismissed. We did this for years! We didn't talk to anyone other than the obligatory "shake hands time" during service, (all my other introverted friends just groaned didn't you! I hate it too lol) But if that's all you're doing with church it's not the church's fault you don't feel welcome or included. It's your fault. Great job for at least attending in this day and age when church is found online everywhere, but without relationships you're missing the point.

It only took us like 7 years to finally join something ha! Don't wait that long. We volunteered in Awana last year and will again this year, and it was one of the best decisions we've made as a family. We now know lots of people at church because we've met their kids or we've served side by side with them working with these kids.

Make a commitment to something for someone. That makes a huge difference. Organizations are hurting all over for volunteers. Just say yes, you'll most likely be blessed more than you could even fathom.

I was terrified walking into the classroom that first evening in Awana. I am not a social person at all, At least 3 and 4 year olds aren't that intimidating, and love to talk! And now walking into my second year volunteering I'm not scared but excited for what else God has in store for this group.

What is God calling you to do that could make even just a small change in someone's life? Do it right now. Don't make any more excuses. It's not too big and it's not too hard. Because we serve a Big God that is bigger than any fear, excuse you can come up with.