Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you! It seems more like fall now with the crisp temperatures. This morning I cleaned our apartment and took a friend to the Dollar Store to start buying things for Operation Christmas. This afternoon I am going shopping with Al as we got only as far as Culver’s yesterday!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
It’s easy to quit when the going gets rough, but it takes courage and perseverance to keep on and not give up. We live in a culture that says to do whatever makes us happy and if our needs aren’t met, to just quit! I’m sure we have all been guilty of being a quitter and not carrying through with something that was difficult. Children often quit in the middle of the game if they know they are losing. Teens may quit simply because the job is not very exciting but hard work and would rather have a cushy one. Or adults quit when they think they can’t stand one more day of a demanding boss or just bored with their spouse.
Perhaps all of us think more of our own needs and feeling good, rather than contributing and serving others. But I read the scripture today from Galatians 6:9-10 (The Message) where Paul says, “So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get a chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.”
I read an article recently by Tiffany Thibault, an author and Bible Study leader, who writes about not growing weary. In whatever situation we are in, we are not to give up but keep doing good to everyone God puts in our path. For all of us that will look different and maybe today it is something simple as making a meal, sending a card, praying for a person, giving a compliment, or just listening to another.
God wants to work through us and we may not always feel like giving out, but often our own concerns are lightened even as we do good. I liked Tiffany’s prayer that we may want to pray before starting our day.
“Dear Lord,
Thank you that you are in my life, that you are working in all my situations today. Please give me the strength that I need to be able to do good to everyone that I will encounter today. Help me to reflect your goodness to those around me. Help me to see opportunities where I can be the good today to whoever needs it. Help me to not focus on what I think I need, but to see that you have placed me right where I am today so that I can do good to someone. Help me to trust you as I encounter those difficult people, and show me how to do good to them. Lord, give me strength to not grow weary in doing good. In your name I pray, Amen.”
Let us be willing to let God use us to bring good to others!
Challenge for today: Ask God to work through you to do good to someone in your path today.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy
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