How did your family like the notes you wrote them? My children are getting theirs this afternoon. I can't wait for them to read what I have told them. I have to admit I felt God needed me to change this mornings blog, so I am late getting this out. I had a cool activity for everyone to do at home for today, but something else is on my heart.
Sometimes in our day to day routine, we forget we are to be present in others lives as well. I find it amazing how many people are needing someone just to say a kind word or needing someone to be a friend. It seems everyone has 3 things in common. We all want to be validated, appreciated, and understood. You say, why do you say these things? Let me tell you....
A few months ago Heather and I were faced with the option to be present for someone who needed us. I am not going to lie, with four kids and adding more responsibility to the mix was a crazy thought. I prayed and went back and forth several times before the decision was made to trust God and be as present as we were allowed to be in this persons life. Since, we have been trusting God to lead, everything has worked out fine. It is hard to see the struggles they constantly go through. It is hard to try and understand what they are feeling because we have never been in the situation they are. It is hard to see the people who should be the most supportive in their life, try and persuade them to make a decision based on personal bias. We are called as Christians to be a light in a dark world. We are called to love without prejudice. We are called to validate, appreciate, and understand people, no matter what age, and help them be the best they can be by being a stable presence in their lives.
I was talking to some people just the other day about how hard it was when Heather and I got married to love each others kids in the same way. You know what I mean? When a child is your flesh and blood, it seems to be easier to love them because they are part of you. When you have children that are not biologically yours, sometimes those instincts are just not natural? It is hard until you realize something. And this is the point of today..........
We are adopted by God through the blood of his son Jesus Christ. We are here to be the presence of God in a dark world. There are people all over this town and probably next door to us that need someone to care. There are people all over this town and probably next door who need someone to listen. There are people all over this town and probably next door that are needing us to be present in their lives in some form or fashion.
Matthew 5:14-16
"You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden, neither do we light a lamp and put in under a bowl, instead we put it on a stand and it gives light unto all the house. In the same way, let your light so shine before men that they may see you good deeds and praise your father in heaven."
It doesn't matter if you are related or not. Jesus doesn't say you are the light in your own house, he says, you are the light of the world.
Jesus does not say let you light shine just in your house....here's the challenge.....
Challenge:
Be present in someones life you know needs you. Make an effort today to reach out to someone who you know needs your presence and God's presence in their lives.
I promise it will be confusing and hard, but in the end it will be rewarding and fulfilling. It is amazing what happens when we do what God calls us to do.....
Justin Presley
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