Ever since I heard the news, I can’t stop thinking about Jane’s death. I’ve only met her once in person, and that was last year at a retreat I attended for profession writers. Jane and another wonderful lady (and Jane’s dear friend) Sandra had organized our opening event–the food, gifts, the games . . . Jane shined in the midst of it all.
It was evident to see that her service to us was from her heart, and I was given a glimpse of the type of person she was–someone who not only shared God with her words, but with her heart and service, too.
I think that’s so important for writers and/or other Christian artists. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in our “work” for God that we forget there is a needy world all around us.
At least 2-3 times a week I serve outside my home. I serve weekly in children’s church and I teach a Wednesday night parenting class. (It’s a great book called Generation NeXt Parenting, you should check it out! 🙂 And I meet and mentor other women, including teen moms.
I volunteer by mentoring teen moms, because I know what it was like to feel so scared, alone, and shamed. I found Christ when I was 17 and pregnant with my first child. (He’s 17 now!) I want to share the same hope I had with others.
I also volunteer because I feel Christ’s pleasure. I can be tired, and I can just want to stay home and veg out, but when I give and serve my whole outlook changes. I’m more thankful for what God has done in my life, when I walk alongside needy people. Soon God pours through me, and fills me in the process, and I have the joy of the Lord!
So what about you. How do you like to give and serve? How does it change YOUR world? How does it change YOUR outlook on life?Mostly, as I think about Jane today, I have to ask myself … In what ways will my joyful service be remembered?
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