Upon returning to the States, I have been helping a young lady and her family get back on their feet, at first sporadically and now more intentional as my time here is winding up. Upon reflection it reminded me of my time in India, and my outreach to some of the most down trodden where I was located. In Turkey it seemed to be the least of them that happened to be the "Romanies" that I invariably found myself interacting with. In all situations the need was right in front of everyone's face, yet most ignored them and wrote them off as never changing, or just the way it was, yet that is where I have repeatedly been drawn to help. Even in the helping it would seem others question and warn of my involvement, yet for me it is the right thing to do. Others have said they are drunkards, drug users, thieves, etc., yet I see someone who needs a friend, a helping hand, or just someone to listen and care.
I reflected to my husband the other day that the mom here, who is pregnant, smokes regularly despite being pregnant, sells her services to put food on the table, and seemingly stuck in a rut of her own doing, yet trying to find a way out, could have been my own birth mother. I could have been the child she was carrying, yet chose to give up at birth. What I see in this mom is a sweet spirit, a fighter, a smart young lady behind her circumstances, and I have a desire to help, with God's leading.
In India the river ladies and kids were an eyesore to the locals. Disregarded as trash, unchangeable, hopeless. Others have suggested I spend time on others more worthy, yet they touched my heart, so even though it did not make sense to others, it did to me. I may never know the "rest" of the story for all of these situations, but I have been faithful in my part and I trust God to continue his work through others who come along their path.
How about you? Has God placed someone in your path that speaks to your heart? In each of us is a gift or gifts, passions, spheres of influence that only we have. Are you aware of what your gift is? Maybe like me it has taken some time to understand the pattern in your life, or maybe you have just started your journey. Wherever you are, know that God needs you to reach that someone that only you can.
Remember the parable of the talents God gave in Matthew 25 and Luke 19. One person he gave 1 talent to, others he gave more, but he expected results from all. Are you using the one talent or multiple talents that God has placed in your heart?
I pray as we go forward this day that you are encouraged to reach out and be a blessing to someone that God has placed in your sphere of influence, as only you can do!
Listen and be encouraged in your walk today! Song: Oceans: http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=aaplw&p=hillsong+oceans
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