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Whispers From Heaven
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Author
Nancy Bauer, Washington
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THE CIRCLE OF JOY
I want to tell
you a personal story.
I started working at a food bank 5 years ago,
thinking that I could help the community. Having watched “Extreme Makeover” on
ABC, I loved the emotions that arose in me with the idea of actually helping
someone in a life changing way. I loved the feeling I got from watching this
kind of kindness. A longing to help others in that way grew inside of me; to
feel that I could make that kind of difference in this world.
I started
working at the food bank knowing that I had much to give in serving and in
caring; wanting to bring hope to those who needed it most. I felt a need to let
them know that someone cared about them personally and not just in feeding
their hungry tummies.
What I didn’t
realize is how much they would give to me. I didn’t think about how they would
enrich MY life. They have shown me how much they care for me and have given ME
joy.
About a month
ago the labor and stress that comes with working at a food bank at times,
became so much on me that I was going to quit. I was at the point of walking
out. But the idea of losing the joy they bring to me on a weekly basis, I
couldn’t do it. I knew I needed them. I needed them more than they needed me.
The situation made me pay attention to what God was giving me…joy.
I’ve found that
I love these people who come to the food bank so much that the work and stress
are worth it…I need to stay close to them and to feel their love for me; for
God’s love comes through them to me. They have enriched my life more than they
know and they have given me so much joy.
It seems that
the Bible has told us this all along…that when we give, it comes back to us
bigger than we give out:
“Give to others,
and God will give to you. Indeed, you will receive a full measure, a generous
helping, poured into your hands---all that you can hold. The measure you use
for others is the one that God will use for you.” Luke 6: 38 (GNB)
God gave me a message for these people.
He told me to tell them: They should each give, in the
way that they have decided, not with regret or out of a sense of duty; for God
loves the one who gives gladly.
That God is
able to give them more than they need, so that they will always have all they
need for themselves and more than enough for anything they need.
He will always
make them rich enough to be generous at all times, so that many will thank God
for their gifts.
For this service
they perform, this giving, not only meets the needs of God's people, but also
produces an outpouring of gratitude and thanksgiving to God.
And because of
the proof of God giving to them so much, they have enough to give to others and
many will give glory the God; proof of God in them by their generosity to
others.
“And so with
deep affection, those they have given to will pray for them because of the
extraordinary grace God has shown to them. Let us thank God for his priceless
gift!”
(2 Corinthians 9:7-15)
THEY ARE MY PRICELSS GIFT FROM GOD!
Because of them my joy has exploded; God uses them as a
way to show His love to Me and bring me joy. Because of them I give
thanksgiving to my God! Isn’t it amazing how He does that?
It’s a circle; a
wonderful loop of God’s love, joy and generosity.
1. He put His
desire in me to find joy in giving to others;
2. Those I gave
to turned around and returned the love and joy to me,
3. Which turns
it back to God, Himself in praise, worship, thanksgiving and rejoicing in Him.
What an All Knowing God! We were created to worship Him…and this is the example of how He
shows us HIS WAYS to do that!
The circle of
joy….Starts with God and ends with God…
I praise God
that He includes us in His circle. What a God we have!
Nancy
