Month: January 2015

We read and hear the stories every day on the news.  We see people on the street. The battered, the beaten, the lost… the poor, the hungry, the helpless, the voiceless and our first instinct is to think “I wish there was something I could do.”

What deters us from transforming the thought into action?  Time? Perhaps you don’t have time, but you have other resources that might be life changing for someone.  Every day is an opportunity to be someone’s answer to their prayer.

“We never know which lives we influence, or when, or why.” – Steven King

Think outside the box.  If you cannot physically lend a hand by volunteering, perhaps you can donate.  It doesn’t have to be a large amount of money.  It could be $5 to $10.  Every little bit helps because it all adds up.  Donations do not have to be monetary. I promise you, if you take a good look around, you possess something of no consequence to you that would restore hope and faith in the life another fellow human being.

Clean Out Your Closet

If you haven’t worn it in a year, chances are… you’re not going to.  Look to your community and familiarize yourself with the nonprofit organizations like People to People Inc that discretely provide a pantry, clothing, and other supplies for members in your community that have fallen on hard times. You can use the extra space by purging clothes that don’t fit you, your children or last season’s apparel – whatever. Toys, books, electronics… someone can benefit from that old ipod or tablet from two generations ago!

Every county has a domestic violence organization that houses and provides counseling, and advocate services for survivors of violence and sexual assault.  They accept monetary donations as well as donations of supplies, like for example: toiletries, bedding, clothing, food and even cell phones.  Visit The Center for Safety and Change to get a better idea of what these great organizations accept.

If you don’t have time to look up what your local community has to offer, you most certainly can drop by your local church. Pick a church, any church.

Shop for a Cause

Okay, maybe you’re not a hoarder like me, and do not have anything to spare but you need things, like clothing, for example.  Many organizations team up with apparel companies and the proceeds are donated to help others, among them are:

Love 146

ReImagine

Toms

(RED)

Sevenly

FEED

Check out some of these awesome organizations  or Google some local nonprofit organizations that directly provide services to your community. Unfortunately, nonprofit organizations do not have the funding to facilitate advertisement which hurts awareness of their existence. With local charities and nonprofit organizations in your backyard, you must step up and take that celebrity spokesperson role to raise awareness and make a difference.

If only life could be a sweet laid back reggae melody while the ocean waves roll in on the sand undulating between your toes as the breeze caresses your body and the sun kisses your skin.

Unfortunately, thoughts, cares, and responsibilities can bring undulating waves of worry that can sometimes be debilitating.

Pastor Greg Laurie had an amazing sermon about worry that gave way to a whole new perspective of just what it is and why it is so detrimental not only spiritually – but emotionally, psychologically and physically.  Worrying is negative mediation on things and circumstances that are often beyond your control. Worrying about the future is pointless and we often worry about things that never come to pass.  Calling a spade a spade,.. that is a classic example of a waste of time!  Worry robs you of time, happiness, sleep, your health, and positivity.  It is also a clear indication that you don’t trust God enough to pull you through.

Rather than worry about it or talk about it… pray about it.  Chalk it up to JC!  Sounds simple, right?  Ok,.. well it might not be at first., Which is why after talking to my sisters, cousins, and a couple friends in search of a better method of navigation through life in 2015, we came up with a challenge that will promote our dependency on God through prayer and strengthen our faith.

See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they? Matthew 6:26

God loves us more than we could ever imagine.  His immense love for us is unfathomable and instead of racking our brains, complaining, or seeking the stars, give this a try:

1. Identify what is causing you to worry.
2. Write it on a Post-it note.
3. Fold the Post-it note strategically using the sticky side to seal it like an envelop.
4. Place it in a jar or box, or whatever you chose to keep as your official prayer container.
5. Once that Post-it is placed in the prayer container, do not mention it aloud again. Rather, if and when your thoughts persist, say a quick prayer.  Bear in mind the shortest prayer was “Lord, save me!” Compliments of Peter… So it doesn’t have to be a drawn out soliloquy.

The challenge is to repeat steps 1-5 every time you find yourself gripped with worry about anything that worries you for 365 days.  Date them, if you like.. so that way exactly one year from now you can dig in and take stock of every little thing; look at a year’s worth of worries and cares at a glance. It’s gonna be all right!

Make one if you like, grab a large mason jar, or purchase a prayer box like this lovely wooden one here available at Serenity Corner.  Please give it shot and keep me posted.  Don’t worry about a thing and remember,.. God answers knee mail!