I listened to an especially good sermon this morning. What I took from it was that God gives you gifts (like skills, talents, resources, etc...), with the hope that you will use those gifts to further the kingdom. We are expected to take care of our families, help others, and to look for ways to serve using those gifts. Earning a profit is good, we are expected to work hard, to care for our families, to care for others who are in need. To use our blessings to bless others. We don't have to be "successful" in worldly terms, to be successful in the eyes of God. He cares a whole lot about our intentions. For example, the success of a ministry is not necessarily measured by the number of people participating, or the amount of money raised. It makes sense to sit back and take account of our gifts. To tally up our talents. I think of this often, but this sermon was that nice nudge I needed, the reminder to do a personal assessment. How am I moving forward in my walk? How am I using my gifts to further the kingdom? What are my gifts? How can I help people feel the love that God has shown me, and be the tool God wants me to be? Talents, and blessings are tools that we are given to do a job, as well as to enrich our lives. We don't own them though. We didn't earn them. Like any gift, things and talents can be taken away. Poof, in a split second, it can all be gone. So this week, I will giving myself a little check up. I will be thinking about things that weigh heavy on my heart, (like foster children, young women making bad choices, food for families in our own community) and doing something to move forward on those things. It doesn't mean I'll be successful at doing everything I hope for, but my intention and my actions will start to get in sync. I challenge you to do the same, and if you feel like sharing your story, I would love to share it on this blog. Have a fantastic and blessed week!
I enter this new week a little tired, but smiling. Why? No drama this weekend. We had sunshine, and sports, and cuddle time--- less the drama. Most families don't experience the intense level of emotions that the Rhodes clan does. Sure, they have the hectic life of families, perhaps some fighting, the normal mess--- perhaps a little teen hormone induced drama....but we have drama of a different kind in our house. The kind of drama caused by a brain that is shooting off crazy chemicals induced by years of trauma. When our son Victor is home, the whole world is a great big land mine. Saying the wrong thing, calling him out on behavior, or even suggesting that he not eat a 4th serving of ice cream can cause the the peace to recede, and for chaos to ensue. He is now in a boarding school for kids with emotional issues. As sad as it is that our family isn't all together--- I must admit that the peace in our household is a welcome blessing. We are learning more and more
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