Dear Ones,
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Will you be celebrating in some way today? We have a supper party planned for here tonight.
This morning I went downstairs for Donut day and decorating, and this afternoon we have Bible Study. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
A life lived for the Lord and others is a life of joy; but one lived for ourselves will leave us wanting.
Have you noticed how those that are busy helping others seem to bubble over with joy. Paul writes from prison and says in Phil. 2:4 (God’s Word), “Don’t be concerned only about your own interests but also be concerned about the interests of others.” The Message puts it this way, “Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”  We are to humbly think of others as being better than ourselves and to think of ways we can help them. Now if I were in a cold dark prison, I can imagine myself writing of my pressing needs and to plead with others to pray that I get out of my situation!  I suspect that might be my first request before thinking of how I could be of help to others!
Many people who are busy helping others do not have an easy life and yet they put the needs of others before their own. We have a friend here in our apartment complex that seems to always be busy joyfully meeting the needs of others. She recently organized a card shower for a friend’s birthday who is temporarily in Rehab and went to visit her on her birthday, along with all the cards. Other times she is praying for someone or bringing food to their door, or putting treats on all 60 doors in our apartment building. She volunteered to help us with the Birthday parties each month and she and her hubby help at Teen Challenge. Life seems very rich for her, but it is not centered on herself but how she can serve the Lord.
One of the best ways for those who feel depressed and down is to find a way to help others. The attention is off of ourselves and our hearts open wide to needs others have. Let us make the choice to serve others out of our love for God!
Challenge for today: Ask the Lord for an opportunity to serve some unsuspecting person in a hidden way today. 
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy