I believe God wants us to make a different where we are. I’ve been guilty of thinking I’ll make a difference … when I get to be a mom, when my kids are older, when our life slows down. But God finally convinced me of the important living out my faith right now, right here.
Now, whatever season of life you’re in my determine how and where and when you can serve. I finally got to be a momma and my kids are still fairly little, so some things would compromise the priorities Greg and I believe God wants for our family. But even then, while serving my family, while waiting for one season to end and another to begin, I can serve my neighbor and my God.
“… While I’m waiting I will serve You, while I’m waiting I will worship
While I’m waiting I will not faint, I’ll be running the race even while I wait
I’m waiting, I’m waiting on You Lord, and I am peaceful, I’m waiting on You Lord
Though it’s not easy no, but faithfully I will wait; Yes, I will wait
And I will move ahead bold and confident, taking every step in obedience …”{From “While I’m Waiting” by John Waller}
This week’s God-sized Dream challenge from Holley: Share about your favorite nonprofit organization. They are all God-sized dream in action.
In last week’s God-sized Dream post, I shared about one of my family’s favorite nonprofit organizations. Compassion International makes sense to us because raising kids is where my husband and I are. My kids relate to the kids we sponsor. As I’ve learned about Compassion International, I’ve been impressed with how its staff executes its mission.
For this week, I thought I’d share about a more local project I’ve recently learned about and with which I’ve just gotten involved. The Needline Food Project is a way to incorporate regular giving into families’ routines in order to help other families in our community.
The idea is each week when we shop, we’ll pick up an extra non-perishable food or hygiene item and store it in a usable shopping bag designated for the project. The on the second Saturday of every other month, a neighborhood coordinator {in my case, that’s me …} will collect all the bags from the families on that coordinator’s neighborhood list.
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
I heard about this food project idea just before I heard Jen Hatmaker speak about missional-minded living and loving your neighbor. I was already thinking about ways to get to know the families who live near us. We live across the street from one of the two local parks, so there are often kids walking down our street. Sadly, we’ve done a poor job getting to know our neighbors and I’m ready to change that.
We have a neighborhood party on the calendar and I’ll be handing out flyers for that this week. This food project goes right along with what’s on my heart now: I want to know my neighbors. I want to teach my kids to help others. And I want to make a difference here in this community that is my home.
Tuesdays are God-sized Dream days around here and I’m linking this post along with many, many other dreamers on Holley Gerth’s blog. I’m also linking up with Jen at her Soli Deo Gloria party.
And on Wednesday, I decided to link up with Jennifer Dukes Lee, who is a master storyteller and asks others to #TellHisStory.
Want more? Subscribe to get “Insights” in your inbox. Like 152 Insights on Facebook. Or follow me on Twitter and Instagram.
I love that song and I love hearing about this organization. There really is something to loving your neighbor. Thanks for sharing today.
Thank you for the encouragement to make a difference where I am. Gotta admit, sometimes the picture gets a little too big for me, and I forget to focus on what is right in front of me. I needed this today. Blessings, friend….thank you for sharing your heart!
Kristin, you bless. Thanks for sharing your heart, your actions, and your dreams. In this you inspire us to be active and focused.
I get overwhelmed with the big world sometimes too. I'm glad what God is teaching me helped you too. Enjoy your day, friend!
Your comment is so kind, Nasreen. Thanks for stopping here. 🙂
I love everything about this… I love how many are involved and how serving others brings your town together. What a difference you are making. Thank you for sharing. Always a delight to to come here.
Thank you, Beth!
Hi Kristin, I love your heart to know your neighbors showing them love. I live in the country with neighbors are distant enough that I don't know them, but I've had it on my heart to be a witness in the community somehow!! With both my kids at home, one starting kindergarten next year, I've struggled with this for awhile now. But I never thought of reaching the community through service in a way like you have (I don't know why I haven't thought of this!!). Anyway, your post gives me something to pray about. Maybe it's a way I can connect with other parents at the charter school my daughter will attend in the fall. Thanks for sharing. And it's nice meeting you. I linked up next to you at Jennifer Dukes Lee! Blessings.
Thanks for stopping by, Jacqui! It's such a balancing act with small kids (mine are 6 and 3!), but there are little ways to get them involved too. Yesterday at the grocery, my 3-year-old son picked out a couple canned goods for this food project. God will show you ways to serve!
You are so cool.
Only because I have cool friends like you.