The following series has been impressed upon my heart after having served in Disaster Relief for fire victims. I will be sharing some stories with you about the survivors. The names will be changed to provide privacy for those whose lives are still being put back together. This is not about me, but what God can do through us when we reach out to help others and trust in Him.

Stay and Do What?                        1st Impression

As the call came out for Chaplains to serve in Northern California for fire victims, my heart was stirred to go…but what did I know about people who had lost everything due to fire damage? I was at the beginning of a huge learning curve and another opportunity to be the hands and feet that serve in love.

Galatians 5:13, “My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love.” (CEV)

I was assigned to serve at the church were we were staging as kitchen help and then relief for the person who was leaving and in charge of the shower and laundry unit. Now wait I thought you were a Chaplain? Well, yes I am…but first I need to have a willing attitude to go and do whatever needs to be done. Okay…yes at first my heart ached to be out with those who where going to the disaster sites. But you know what, God knew exactly where I needed to be.

Philippians 4:13, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (NIV)

Even when it means doing laundry and cleaning showers.

You see those who had lost their homes in the fire were without electricity and water…so they came to the church for food, clothing, laundry service and a hot shower. I was given the chance to serve many more than if I had been on just one home site each day.

Lesson learned-God plants you exactly where He wants you to serve.

“The purpose of Christianity is not to avoid difficulty, but to produce a character adequate to meet it when it comes. It does not make life easy; rather it tries to make us great enough for life.” James L. Christensen

Is there somewhere you are intended to go? Are you avoiding being there because it is not what you feel you want to do? Is your life just one self-filled week after another? Why not take the first step in giving of self for others? You will find it worth your time, because when you think about it…is any of the time we have been given, anything other than a gift from the Lord? Then why not use it for the benefit of others?

John 15:13, “The greatest love you can have for your friends is to give your life for them.” (GNT)

Thanksgiving & Christmas are just around the corner…go…give the gift of your time…be there for someone who needs the love of God in their life!

I had the privilege of serving on a Disaster Relief Team in Northern California the first week of October. What an incredible experience! I have served nationally and internationally on Medical Teams in Disaster Relief for 11 years. I have responded to Hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes and tsunamis…but never for fire. I was not sure what to expect, the lessons I would learn or how I would be able to help. A photojournalist, who served on our team, recorded the following impression of my heart.

God our father has provided a way and…we all need one you know…a “nail sweeper”.


Acts 4:12, “Salvation is to be found through him alone; in all the world there is no one else whom God has given who can save us.” (GNT)

Caprice <><

Remember when you were a kid and you would fall down on the pavement? I sure do…I can remember some pretty banged up knees on my own kids, down they would tumble with a bone racking skid until they came to a stop; the palm of their hands, an elbow and one or both knees skinned and sore. It would burn and bleed from little pieces of gravel that would be lodged under skin flaps. They would come running into the house with hot tears rolling down their cheeks and I would scoop them up into my arms, holding and hugging them close. It was what I call a “sweet spot”. A sweet spot because my hug and soothing voice would calm and still their hearts; their mama was there and cared that they hurt. The pain had not gone away it was just a “sweet spot” of love and concern.

That is how it is with the Lord sometimes…He holds us in the place of a “Sweet Spot” The pain may still be there but we know He loves and cares for us…and somehow that makes it all better…that is where I am right now safe in the arms of the Lord…holding onto that “Sweet spot” of comfort and love. Won’t you join me and trust God with the skinned knees of this world?

Psalm 91:9-16,  ”The Lord Most High is your fortress. Run to him for safety, and no terrible disasters will strike you or your home. God will command his angels to protect you wherever you go.

They will carry you in their arms, and you won’t hurt your feet on the stones. You will overpower the strongest lions and the most deadly snakes. The Lord says, “If you love me and truly know who I am, I will rescue you and keep you safe. When you are in trouble, call out to me. I will answer and be there to protect and honor you. You will live a long life and see my saving power.” (CEV)

 

Caprice <><

I stood by the window this morning as the sun rose to dawn a new day. As the rays of light entered the room I noticed some ugly spider webs that had been hidden from my view in a dim room the other afternoon. Spider webs I miss when cleaning a room because of poor illumination always frustrate me. Then it struck me…isn’t that true of my own life?

Ephesians 5:13-14, “And when all things are brought out to the light, then their true nature is clearly revealed; for anything that is clearly revealed becomes light. That is why it is said, “Wake up, sleeper, and rise from death, and Christ will shine on you.” (GNT)

If I choose not to expose the cobwebs of my heart, mind and actions, I become hindered in my life as a believer. We need to live in the light of the day, by the rays of the “Son shine” that help to reveal the webs of our own lives. We need to rid the cobwebs from the windows of our souls.

Romans 13:12, “Night is almost over, and day will soon appear. We must stop behaving as people do in the dark and be ready to live in the light.” (CEV)

Won’t you live in the light of the “son” trusting that His way is the best way? Put away for good the things of darkness and begin today in the rays of His light.

Proverbs 28:13, “A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.” (TLB)

I will get out my vacuum and rid the window of the webs as soon as I finish this blog and then I will shine some light into my own life so I can see clearly the walk I am intended to walk as a child of the Lord.

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen. Not only because I see it, but because I see everything by it. “ C. S. Lewis

Caprice <><

Note: I was gone last week serving with the California Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Ministries. I will be sharing some stories with you soon!