How a few can have a HUGE impact?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Haelie on September 9, 2010 at 10:58am

Amen! I will be thinking and praying about this. Very good post!!!

Permalink Reply by Samantha Johnson on September 9, 2010 at 11:53am

I love this thought-provoking topic! It terms of making a positive difference for Christ, I am going to speak about what my husband and I trying to do at this season in our lives.

We moved into his parents' house 3 weeks ago and plan to stay there until end of January in 2011. This is a HUGE decision and a step of faith. The reason behind this move is to take care of them. Both parents underwent major surgeries recently and are currently recovering. They both live alone in their home and it will be almost impossible to physically take care of each other. This is why we felt that this is a great time to lovingly care for them and allow them to experience the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. Both are not yet saved at this time.

We are not, by any means, perfect people! But that's exactly the point. Jesus loves using flawed people like ourselves to bring to glory to The One who is PERFECT. It blows my mind away that God is using us to let my in-laws know how much He loves and cares for them.

Permalink Reply by Haelie on September 13, 2010 at 9:31am

Here is something I just wrote in response to Tami's reply to a discussion in my group. As I finished it, I realized it probably fits here:

Reminds me of something I heard recently and can't remember where at the moment (probably Christian radio show). The person said that we so often assume that when we are instructed to give in the Bible, it is primarily referring to money. They said, that is not the case, though. We are to be givers in so many more ways than just money. Time, talent, effort, a listening ear, a car ride, etc. As a matter of fact, to some people it is actually easier to give money than other things, and often those people are ones who need to be giving in other ways.

So often in our economically stressed society, we as Christians beat ourselves up over not being able to give financially as we would love to. "One day," we say, "When I get my debts paid off, then I will become a very generous giver."

We can't wait until that one day...truth is, it may never come while we are on this earth. We must do what we can with what we have been given and do it now. God will bless it and multiply it in ways we can not imagine, just as He did with the fish and the bread.

Also, sounds cliche, but in my time of constant financial struggle and the more recent global financial struggle, I have determined to start giving like I never have before, sacrificially, now...as He lays it on my heart to do so. Not out of a sense of obligation, and usually not a large amount (literally $5 here or there as I am able and led). But that is what has made giving financially less ominous and unreachable to me. I can occasionally part with $5. Not usually much more.

I have found that He is blessing my obedience and sacrifice, as usual, as He did the Widow's Mite. I am in no way financially stable, but He always provides just the amount needed just when it is needed. Takes "creative bill-paying" at times, but He leads me in that too.

Life these days is tough for all of us...some have it tougher than others, but we all have it tough to some degree. So did the early Christians, yet look at the impact they had on their world. And their giving of themselves fully to the work and message of the Lord is still impacting us today.

We, too can do that now.

We can't wait anymore for "One Day...".

This IS the day!

Permalink Reply by Tami on September 17, 2010 at 9:45am

Having a huge impact doesn't have to mean making the news. You can have a huge impact, but it might only be for one person at a time.

I just told a friend that was afraid that opportunity had passed them by, volunteering can mean nothing more than inviting a friend out for coffee and LISTENING. In this fast paced world, no one really listens to those cryies for help anymore. We ask someone, how are you? But do we expect a true response, or a better question might be, would we listen and offer a shoulder, a word of comfort and/or encouragement, if we got that tru response? More often than not, we hear, I'm fine, or can't complain, who would listen? Isn't that sad?

so taking a friend out for coffee, being a Big Brother/Big Sister, visiting nursing homes, cooking a meal and just taking it to a neighbor/single mother/shut in? Checking on someone in bad weather. These things might seem small in the grand scheme of things, but can have a huge impact.

You could also organize a small group, part of your community (it doesn't always have to be tied to a church) and do something. Small libraries always need books, and childrens books are great. So gather a group of people, ask them to buy 1-2 new childrens books, or 1-2 large print books, or an audio book for the blind, and donate them to your local library. These things will MATTER to someone, and that is the important thing. That they, whoever they may be, realize that someone cared enough to do this. And that makes an impact.

Permalink Reply by Jo Ann Shenk on September 29, 2010 at 9:19pm

I have never done this so bear with me, I believe that God puts people in our path in need of help, not just money, a guiding hand and an ear to listen. My husband and I have opened our home to people in need, we have been doing it for ten years and have never found a shortage of people, Some have just needed a short time to regroup and pull themselves together, others have needed much longer to adjust and make their way back into world. We try to represent God to them and hope that we provide good examples, no preaching and we don't force our faith on them. Don't get me wrong we have house rules that are based on our beliefs and strictly enforced, but most have respect for our love of Jesus. Through the years I have learned that just showing them kindness (and believe me sometimes this is a major challenge) goes a long way. Quite a few have kept touch over the years and I think that we are making a wave for Jesus. Maybe not a big one, but a lot of little ones.

Permalink Reply by Lisa G on January 1, 2011 at 1:45pm

Oh Haelie, once again you've spoken my heart!  I've been praying for more "everyday opportunities" and the Lord has been putting them in my path. Like just being more attuned  "when God whispers".   Chances to give more little do-able $ amounts than can be pooled with others (like the story "Stone Soup").  To give of my time and efforts and encourging others to help. Together we can do so much!

And then there are the seemingly little things, like giving our time and attention. Whether it's to my 80+yr old in-laws or the normally quiet check out lady that just needed to tell someone about her 100yr old grandmother. Giving of our $ is valuable but giving of ourselves is a gift for both the giver & receiver.

I'm human. Life has so many demands on our time that it's easy to let this slide in the wake of all that.  So I'm making a concerted effort not to.  As Max Lucado suggested, I've donated to World Vision (along with our usual charities).  We can't afford big chunks but they seem to do much with little amounts.   I'm enlisting the aid of friends & co-workers to gather & donate gently used shoes for the needed(Soles4Soles).  I'll be a collection point.  It's on the active "To Do" list.  I just feel called to do this.

Still--- I'm wondering-- what about Nathan's idea of a "big picture" impact?  Ideas?

Happy & Blessed New Year,

Lisa

 

 

Haelie said:

Here is something I just wrote in response to Tami's reply to a discussion in my group. As I finished it, I realized it probably fits here:

Reminds me of something I heard recently and can't remember where at the moment (probably Christian radio show). The person said that we so often assume that when we are instructed to give in the Bible, it is primarily referring to money. They said, that is not the case, though. We are to be givers in so many more ways than just money. Time, talent, effort, a listening ear, a car ride, etc. As a matter of fact, to some people it is actually easier to give money than other things, and often those people are ones who need to be giving in other ways.

So often in our economically stressed society, we as Christians beat ourselves up over not being able to give financially as we would love to. "One day," we say, "When I get my debts paid off, then I will become a very generous giver."

We can't wait until that one day...truth is, it may never come while we are on this earth. We must do what we can with what we have been given and do it now. God will bless it and multiply it in ways we can not imagine, just as He did with the fish and the bread.

Also, sounds cliche, but in my time of constant financial struggle and the more recent global financial struggle, I have determined to start giving like I never have before, sacrificially, now...as He lays it on my heart to do so. Not out of a sense of obligation, and usually not a large amount (literally $5 here or there as I am able and led). But that is what has made giving financially less ominous and unreachable to me. I can occasionally part with $5. Not usually much more.

I have found that He is blessing my obedience and sacrifice, as usual, as He did the Widow's Mite. I am in no way financially stable, but He always provides just the amount needed just when it is needed. Takes "creative bill-paying" at times, but He leads me in that too.

Life these days is tough for all of us...some have it tougher than others, but we all have it tough to some degree. So did the early Christians, yet look at the impact they had on their world. And their giving of themselves fully to the work and message of the Lord is still impacting us today.

We, too can do that now.

We can't wait anymore for "One Day...".

This IS the day!