Blessing others with our abundance

It always seems that just when things are at their lowest, or when we start to question is this all worth it, God gives us a message we need to hear.

Doug and I were very blessed to attend church today at the Downtown Church of Christ. They were celebrating their 38th anniversary. It wasn't the fanciest of churches, no cushioned pews, media systems, kitchens or children's area. People were not sporting brand name labels, designer purses or iphones. The parking lot wasn't filled with sports cars, SUVs or sedans. In fact there was no parking lot. Most people came to church in a jeepney, taxi or by foot.

But let me tell you what the church did have. They had a joy for Christ. Their hearts were filled with a willingness to serve others. This was evident when Brother Joel gave his lesson. The church began a ministry this week at a local government operated orphanage. The orphanage has almost 30 children. The children are given shelter and a little food. The three full time employees do not have anything else to give to the children. Members of Downtown feel that God has blessed them beyond measure and that out of their blessings they should be providing clothing, medicine, books and other necessities for these children. They are passionate about glorifying God's love to these homeless children. The Downtown Church is giving all they have to help those less fortunate and to answer God's calling. They are blessing with their abundance.

At first one might think, wow, this congregation must be doing well off financially if they can afford to do this type of work. Before the offering, one young man stood to talk about real suffering. It seems he works 12 hours a day, six days a week and to some that might be suffering but at the end of the week he receives a pay check for 800 pesos (less than $17) so he isn't really suffering. It is Jesus that is suffering because he is the one who isn't getting his paycheck for giving up his life on the cross for us. No, this church isn't well off, in fact they probably take in less than $20/week for offering. It is a church that really gets what God calls us to do.

Hearing the message this morning made Doug and I realize that we too are abundantly blessed. We need to get over the selfish thoughts that have been prohibiting us from really seeing the big picture. We don't have to have the fanciest orphanage, or a big sign that says Lilia's Place. We just have to have the heart and hands of Jesus and go do the work we can do. Doug and I plan on working with this orphanage along with the Downtown Church. The orphanage is called Cebu Children's Foundation. It may not say Lilia's Place on the outside, but the spirit of Lilia's Place will be evident on the inside. We have to stop focusing on what we cannot do and start focusing on what we can do, Blessing others with our abundance!!!

"We can do no great things, only small things great" Mother Teresa

God calls us to do great things everyday. What great thing have you done today?