Melting hearts

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Last week I blogged about reaching out to others and giving more here and here. God has really been working on me in this area and the Holy Spirit has filled me with a heart that just wants to GIVE. I am a stay at home mum of three, but I can honestly say that I give more now than I ever did when I was career girl without kids and a disposable income. It's crazy to think that back then I used to want more, but nowadays I just want to give more. And you know what? Whilst I give, the good Lord provides for my every need. Seriously my kids do not go without. Don't get me wrong, we are by no means well off, we live in a one bed flat and the kids and I split our time between the flat and my parents home, but somehow it all works out and I am at peace, despite the situation being very far from ideal. I'm telling you it is only God that can provide you with that kind of peace when everything around you appears to be so completely hopeless.

So as I was saying, in my previous post I talked about how God led me to a home for disabled and mentally ill children that is virtually on my doorstep but I didn't know existed. I got talking to the director a few days later over the phone and asked him if there was any need that my church or I could assist with, like donating clothes, supplies, anything to support the residence and staff. He couldn't think of anything off the top of his head, but said we could come in and sing Christmas carols. FABULOUS. That was until my whole family and I got super sick with the winter vomiting bug..... *sigh*

Undeterred, I bought a few boxes of mince pies and a big tin of chocolates stickered them up with some messages about Jesus and love, wrote out a card and delivered them this morning. I got the idea for the stickers from this wonderful blog here. (Thank you for the heads up Jules. Jules is the creator of The Year blog. Another fabulous read which I thoroughly recommend.) The receptionist was chuffed to receive the gifts and I let her know they were for the staff and residents. It felt so good to do something nice for people I don't know.

As I made my way to the Home, God spoke to my heart and told me to make a similar gesture for an estate agents that used to manage my flat when we lived in Leeds. The relationship ended on a sour note nearly a year a go (you know what estate agents can be like), but God said it was time to forgive and make amends and He is always right. I promptly popped into Tesco and bought another tub of chocolates and delivered them to the estate agents. The guy I used to deal with no longer worked there but I explained the situation to the new person and said there were no hard feelings and I wanted to give the chocolates as a gesture that I have moved on. I wished them all the best and told them God bless. He was really thankful and said he'd pass the message on. It was smiles all around. Wonderful..

It is so amazing how God will change your heart if you let Him. Years ago I would NEVER have imagined doing half the things I do these days. I never thought of myself as a bad person and I always thought I was the kind of girl that would go that extra mile for people and although I would, I never actively looked for it or was fully aware of the need on my doorstep. Since giving my life to Christ, it is like I have been rewired. I see need wherever I go now and I so want to help as much as I possibly can. 

By opening my spiritual eyes God has revealed to me the areas of my life that needed to change in order to be pleasing to Him and it is such a wonderful revelation. He wants us to love others as we love ourselves, even more so, and that's what I am striving to do every day with His help and guidance. God really can change you from the inside out. He is in the business of melting and renewing the hardest of hearts. 

'A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh'

Ezekiel 36:26

His way sets you free. He is perfect. 

Thank you Jesus for your grace, wisdom and mercy. Praise your holy name forever. Amen.

Those in need

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My sister and I have made a decision to do more to help others in need WITHOUT giving it a second thought. As Christians The Bible explicitly says that we are to love our neighbours as ourselves. It's the second most important commandment, after loving God with all your heart and soul. So if we are to love our neighbours as ourselves that means we must give of ourselves to those in need and yes I'm talking about the homeless, the drug addicts, the prostitutes and of course our families and friends. Giving doesn't just have to mean money, but time, resources, skills, a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, food, clothes, whatever it is that you have to offer.

My sister told me that nearly every day on her way to work she sees a homeless man, asking for money and food and her heart has been telling her to reach out to him. For many of us our first instinct is to keep a wide berth, because who knows; they could be high on drugs, or mentally unstable or ready to lash out at someone, but we've now come to the conclusion, especially as the days grow colder, that we can no longer walk by and turn a blind eye to the blatant need that surrounds us each and every day. Yes, sometimes people are to blame for their own demise, but very often they are not. In any case who are we to judge? If we were without a roof over our heads or in desperate need wouldn't we want someone, anyone to reach out to us? Of course we would.

After watching numerous sermons by the amazingly spirit filled Man of God Francis Chan (seriously he is radical and completely on fire for Jesus), my sister and I feel strongly that God is leading us to reach out to those in need, and even if He wasn't this is something we should all be doing anyway. We are going through our wardrobes and our parents wardrobes to gather all the clothes and shoes that are no longer required, especially coats and winter boots, and we're going to start giving to people we see in need in our local community. These items do nothing but lie around, not being worn and taking up unnecessary space, so why not give to those who need it most? Come on, it is FREEZING out there. I feel cold in my home sometimes, so I can't even begin to imagine what it is like being on the streets at this time of year. We must all do MORE!!

Why don't you have a look around in your own home and see if there are any items you could give to someone who needs it more than you? 

Be a blessing to someone in need. You won't regret it.


"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed."
Proverbs 19:17

"Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."
Hebrews 13:16