Saturday, January 22, 2011

A Servant's Heart

I haven't blogged for a few days because I wasn't in a very good place, and I didn't want to be negative. I have been trying to get help around the house for a little over a month now. What I had found previously is that there is a giant gap for people like me in the "system."

Well. I have had some amazing things happen since my last post. A dear friend that I haven't seen for a while came to visit. It was SO nice to talk to another adult! Thank you Shawn, for coming out even in the yucky weather!

I talked to a wonderful lady at Love Inc. yesterday. After we talked for a while, she said it was total Providence that we were talking, because she and her staff were just talking a few days ago about how they could expand their ministry to help people with disabilities. I was like, GO GOD!!! It's amazing how He works things out.

My DREAM is to be healthy enough to go around to churches and speak about living with chronic illness. I am not near that right now, but if I can get connected with an already super-connected, wonderful ministry like Love, Inc....WOW! Maybe I CAN get my message out so other people in this same situation can be benefitted! How cool would that be!?!?

THEN....a friend of mine from college, whom I have not seen for almost 20 YEARS, e-mailed me and told me she really wanted to drive up (from over 4 hours away in another state) with her 4 1/2 year old son, 3 year old daughter, (and pregnant self!!) and stay with me for like a week and make a bunch of food and play with kids and let me rest.

Are you KIDDING??? Such graciousness and generosity blew. me. away. Of course I said yes, after the shock wore off (and after I asked my husband!). I am still just stunned that someone would pack up their ENTIRE life to come to MY house, for the sole purpose of helping me and my family.

God must be so happy to see such a servant's heart. I mean, really. What a demonstration of Christ's love. I am probably going to offend at least a few people by what I say next, and I'm not trying to be offensive, but I'm not going to start beating around the bush now, so I just have to say it.

This woman (I'm not using her name just in case she doesn't want the publicity : ) is walking out the words of Jesus. Jesus didn't say, "I'll pray for you," (well, to Peter, but you know what I mean) or "I hope you find some help," or "If I didn't have..." this obligation, or that problem or this situation to deal with.

I'm not trying to make anyone feel guilty. That's not neither my job nor my business. It's not my job to convict. I understand people have busy lives. I get that. I really, honestly do. But I wouldn't be me if I didn't state the obvious. And I know I'm up on my soapbox but this is SO personal to me!!

In Matthew 25: 35-40, Jesus said: "‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ NKJV

I don't want pity. I don't want sympathy. I'm not trying to anger anyone. But I WILL challenge you. Can YOU help someone? It certainly doesn't have to be me. Many of you who read this don't live anywhere near me.

I know some of us can't. Some of us are in the position of being hungry or naked or sick or imprisoned. But dang it all, some of us CAN and aren't. Some of us need to get off our butts, quit saying, "I'll pray for you," and get MOVING!! Stop. Making. Excuses. Feed the hungry. Clothe the naked. Visit the sick and imprisoned. I've said it before. It's not rocket science.

It's Love.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Excellent post Kerri. You are right. Popular or not, we all need the reminder to get out there and care for our community.
I am so glad that the Lord is sending the help and resources that you need.
Thank you for the nudging today.

Rita* said...

Well said Keri, definetly challenged. Thanks.

Rachel said...

I'm so happy you had found some help!! If you realize it or not YOU help so many of us. Your struggles are many, but you manage to raise a beautiful child, are a loving partner to your husband. My MG burden is small by comparison.

Your words lift me up when I'm having a bad day. There are times a want to cry along with you, or I laugh my pants off at something Jacob did, there are days when I wish you were next door so I could run across the yard and make you a cup of tea & hug my friend. (Well not really run, I'd flop over on my @$$)

I know you will continue to find the strength you need to fight the MG monster.

As always you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Anonymous said...

In good news, even if you're not preaching to churches, you get to talk to us! And examples like those seen in your friends are exactly what the rest of us need to see so we can emulate them :)

You're awesome.

Renee said...

I agree with bluewhitelife--well, said. You do remind me to look around for who I can help, Kerri! Love the verses in this post. And I looked up Love, Inc., which I didn't know much about. Great stuff!

Karen Mortensen said...

I am so happy for you right now. God has really blessed you. I wish I lived close to you. I would help but I can help out right where I am. Thanks for the challenge.

Kate Pantier @ Mommy Monologues said...

Great post Kerri!

And I'm so glad that you've found what you need!

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