After serving one Sunday, two young ladies and myself visited a couple who attends our church.  The husband recently had an accident while doing yard work and was out of commission for several weeks. While we were visiting he gave us the details of his accident in addition to several past, very similar nature related accidents; which led us to the executive decision to ban him from all outdoor activities. We made a mandate that he must go directly from the house to the car, he could not pass go, he could not collect two-hundred dollars. Nature just didn’t seem to agree with him.

Nature seemed to have a particular interest in him falling…literally.  However, God had a particular interest in him soaring.  After leaving their house that day, all I could think was, wow, the hands of God are on him and his family.

Like most of us, they experienced various tests and trials throughout their lives but their faith remained strong and stood the test of time. They always kept God at the center of it all and raised their two boys and even the friends of their boys to honor and respect God in the same way.

They were committed to seeing people far from God being raised to life in Christ, and as a result opened their home to many. From praise and worship and Bible Study in their living room to girls playing volleyball in the front yard while the boys played basketball in the backyard…with the boys eventually making their way to the front to join in with the girls. It’s like their home was built for this, they were built for this. Their destiny was predetermined.

Now this level of commitment does not come without sacrifice….like an occasional 3am call from one of the kids in your youth group saying he needs you to bail him out of jail or a 6 hour drive to pick up another kid stuck on the side of the road…on a weekday while still having to make it to work on time the next day. These could have been seen as inconveniences and I’m sure they may have had some choice words specifically for the jailbird but ultimately I would imagine they felt honored for the opportunity to be able to display the love of Christ to these kids, and display how He extends His forgiveness, grace and mercy despite the transgression.

So needless to say, they were That couple with That house.

Well, as they were talking I’m thinking, it must have been nice as a kid to grow up in this type of environment. And even more, to be the couple who had the opportunity to pour into and impact so many. I wonder if this still exists?  I mean, I know their kids are grown and leading their own lives now but I guess my question is, are there still people out there making a difference, being impactful? Opening their home? Not people in the public eye but just normal everyday people? And dare I say, Christians??? Or are we all of the mantra, “my four and no more”?

I want to have the same impact on people…at least I think I do…

I guess what I’m trying to say is, am I walking out the core value “Believe Big and Start Small” in my own life? Am I asking people how can I help you or what can I do for you… and really meaning it? Am I ready and willing to be taken up on that offer or is it an empty gesture?

Many of us are so quick to say, I want to impact the world but do we really understand what we’re asking God for? Are you willing to take up your cross? Are you willing to put aside your own wills and desires for God’s? Are you willing to be inconvenienced? If you answered yes, how are you honoring those in the same household as you? How about on your job? Have you committed to the space God currently has you in? God has this amazing ability of often placing before you the very thing you’ve been asking Him for.

So let’s circle back to our couple friends.  They are a living example of you reap what you sow.  They poured out an abundance of love over the years and in their time of need, an abundance of love was being poured back into them.  We were just one of many that stopped by to show our love and support for them and that blessed me tremendously.

It was great taking a glimpse into this couple’s life but it ultimately made me take a glimpse into my own. What am I doing to impact the world, my local community, my church, my workplace, my family and friends?

A life of servanthood could be viewed as sacrifice but what you receive in return is far greater than you can imagine.

Be Bold, Be You, Be Blessed!

~Forever Trina

“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.”   Galatians 6:9-10 (MSG)