Looking at the calendar, I quickly could see that if I
wanted to get started doing family missions, my opportunities were limited in
the coming weeks. I needed to get
something under our belt quickly, squeezed into the little free time we had
today. I have a short list of
people on my mind with ideas of what I want to do for them. You know, the people when you’re
sitting in prayer meeting that somehow jump off the page to you out of the list
of literally a hundred names in need of prayer. I have to think that God makes different names pop to
different people so that we accomplish His purposes. I don’t want to just minister to the popular shut in. I want to see those that no one else
seems to know too.
If you are looking for a blessing and to be a blessing, the
easiest ministry opportunity that requires no advanced planning is available to
you anywhere you live…the nursing home.
Seriously, even if you are in a brand new place where you know no one,
you can go in nursing homes and tell them you just want to visit with some
patients. Ask for who never has
family to come see them. Start
there.
We had two names in two different facilities on my heart to
visit today. Now, as you can
imagine, our visits only lasted around 10 or 15 minutes each due to taking my
ten, four, and two year olds. We
told them up front that we wouldn’t stay long because of the toddlers, but we
just wanted to stop by a few minutes.
One gentleman we visited used to work at one of our favorite restaurant
stops. We went to see him first. I had asked his son (who works there
too) if it was OK to visit sometime.
He said sure. He works so
much that it is hard for him to spend as much time with his dad as he would
like. So, I knocked on the
father’s door and reminded him that we were faithful patrons that were missing
having him around when we ate there. My boys carefully gave him hugs (he has fallen several
times and broken hips and such), and we chatted about his new “home” away from
home. We asked if we could pray
with him before we left, and he said yes.
I got to lead us in prayer for his continued healing and adjustment to
the new situation. This was huge
to me because I have been eating at this restaurant for years. At least 7. Maybe more. We
are so frequent that they know my order and start preparing it when they see my
van pull in. I have spent time
trying to befriend the staff there, and I routinely ask them about their lives
and pray for them. I am uncertain
of the spiritual condition of these sweet people, but I was greatly encouraged
that this gentleman allowed me to pray for him and said “Amen” after I
finished. I continually pray for
salvation for the staff there if they don’t know Jesus. I pray for opportunity to share if God
opens the door while I’m there.
(It’s easy to remember to pray because I’m also praying my kids don’t
tear the place apart during our feeding session. Lol) Even
during my “fog” years of raising babies, I’ve tried to be mindful of the
opportunities that I do have to be Jesus to other people. My realm of influence was limited since
my contact with people was limited, but you just gotta do the best you can with
what you’re given.
Our second stop was to see a sweet family friend that goes
to our church. This lady went to
church with us years ago at another place as well. She’s had a hard time recovering from knee surgery on her
second knee and is stuck in rehab again.
She greatly enjoyed seeing my boys in all their rambunctiousness, as her
grandchildren are all older now.
Eric led us in prayer with her as well. I told him before we ever got out at the first visit to not
let me forget for us all to pray over the people we visit. If you want to make a huge difference
to people, offer to pray over them.
This may be out of your comfort zone, but you will be surprised at how
doing this quick act of service for someone will impact their day and their
life. It’s one thing to say, “I’m
praying for you!” It is another to
actually do it. Right there. On the spot. I try to do this on Facebook posts too, but I don’t always
have time to type it out. You may
not realize it, but there are people in this world that have never had anyone
pray specifically for them in their presence. Makes an impact.
When God answers that prayer, that person’s faith is strengthened…faith
in the Lord and faith in the power of prayer. Try it. You’ll
be amazed at what you find.
Well, I better wrap this up. I’m excited to head to celebrate the 18th birthday
of my best friend’s daughter. I
cannot believe she is 18. She is
an amazing young woman of God, and I can’t wait to see her day totally rock
celebrating her! I’m so encouraged
by her love and dedication to the Lord.
She so deserves this neat party.
They are incorporating something from each of her former birthdays. It’s a 6 hour party, so I’m only taking
my crazies for a little while. ;) I hope you all have a blessed day! Remember, be kinder than
necessary. People ultimately just
need Jesus.
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