The easy way?


The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, 
to be compassionate,
 to have it make some difference that you have lived 
and lived well. --Ralph Waldo Emerson


It’s that time of year, when every other piece of mail is a request for a donation from Boys’ Town, Sierra Club, The American Heart association—the list is endless. And the worst part is, when you send a check, immediately you get a letter asking for another one. It’s hard to say no, but it’s hard to say yes to everyone who asks.

The thing about sending a check is, it’s easy. We feel good about helping someone or some cause, and it hardly takes any effort on our part. And that’s great. Really.

But I would like to challenge you to get your hands dirty this year.

Instead of just sending a check to some distant, sterile clearinghouse organization, why not pick up a few gift cards to local grocery stores and give them, face-to-face, to folks you pass day in and day out? It’s easy to make excuses in your mind not to do this; just for this week, silence that excuse-making voice and offer Love. And while you’re at it, pause and talk with them for a few minutes. Listen to their story. Ask them if they would like you to pray for them—and if they agree, do it. Right there, right then.

You may never know who might come away from this encounter more deeply transformed, you or them. In moments like this, God appears and lingers, blessing and offering grace.


Monday Pause and give specific, deliberate thanks to God for something unexpected you have received. Now pay it forward as you are led. Philippians 2:1-4

Tuesday Think today about the ways you spend your time. Ask God to show you how you can make more time in your life—for God—and then do it.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Wednesday Today, focus on some way you routinely “treat” yourself. Just for today, forgo the Starbucks and donate the money not spent. Matthew 5:14-16

Thursday Today, offer the gift of your time. Write a letter. Make a phone call. Be a blessing to another. Psalm 118:1

Friday Think today of a friend, co-worker or acquaintance in need of hope. Reach out as only you can. Let the Spirit lead your heart. Matthew 7:12

Saturday Listen to your heart in silence. Are you content? What is keeping you from being joy-filled? Ask God to guide you in seeking peace. Matthew 6:31-33

Sunday As we gather from our busy lives to praise and worship, give thanks for this place and your church family. Thank God for the generosity of time, talents and tithes that continue to make our mission and ministry possible. Genesis 28:16-16

The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen,
you will fill the world with hope. –Barack Obama

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