Dear Ones,
Hope you wake to a day of feeling loved and knowing you have worth. I plan to do food prep and go to Exercise class, and later craft time and Bible study.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
We can read of the people who are making it on the stock market big time and those who have multibillions of dollars but what about the poor around us. Prov. 21:13, “Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.” The poor are always around us and the Lord has special concern for the poor and so should we. It isn’t just poor in worldly goods, but the poor may be those who seemingly have nothing to offer but do they?!! Yes!
 Our grandson had a part time job spending nights at group homes where there were severely handicapped people who can do nothing for themselves. They had to be fed and bathed and dressed and one might think what can they offer others. But though they are weak and vulnerable they have much to teach us.

There are communities that minister to the poor with physical and mental disabilities and try to give them a family-like environment to give them a sense of their worth. If we are humble enough and receive them, we will discover hidden beauty in their weakness and be led closer to the Lord. Even though in the world’s eyes, they are so often rejected, they can be a source of hope and life to us, for they open our hearts to God’s love and compassion. Jesus invited all to follow Him and we all have a choice to make if we will choose Him and say no to the world.

Everyone wants to feel valued and loved and when we follow Jesus, we must accept others and know that they all have value. He loves those who are poor and have mental disabilities etc. as much as He loves us. We can grow together if each is free to be ourselves and know we have worth. We say we love Jesus but are our hearts humble and open to love others whom He loves but our society sees as worth very little? Perhaps we may discover our own inner pain and that we are the ones that are poor and needy also. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:3) Let us open our hearts to receive others and love them as we love ourselves.

Challenge for today: Celebrate who God made you to be and also be humble to receive the gift He has placed in the hearts of all those we meet.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy