Sometimes listening for God is really hard...there is so much uncertainty...and then we wait for a voice that might be a little louder or a sign that flashes to get our attention. Words like HOPE and GRACE pour down all around and we step over them...but always with the best intentions. Sometimes it's someone's smile or a door being held open that can change our mood and so we pay it forward by letting someone have our parking space or letting someone go in front of us in the grocery store line. It doesn't really take much effort to be kind...so I am wondering what does effort look like...the real thing...that which surpasses a smile or friendly gesture? And what exactly are the implications? Am I giving pieces of myself away when I take a little time to listen to others....or reach out? God has been speaking to my heart for days now and I'm certain at sometime I've prayed for these very moments...where all I had to do was turn my ear to heaven and open my eyes on earth to see where I am being called....at first it was subtle, through friends, through unexpected phone calls, through late night conversations with radical thinkers and yes, even through some of your blogs...and now I have reached a point where it isn't enough simply to acknowledge my thoughts...I am being nudged into action and so that is why I have decided to spend time with some homeless folks tomorrow...if they will have me...if they will tolerate my ignorance and accept what little I have to offer. Am I afraid? Yes, but only because it is outside of my comfort zone...but so is speaking in front of large groups of people and I have survived that in the past. I'm just in desperate need to witness what HOPE looks like and I really want to feel God's GRACE...I hope they won't mind sharing a little of it with me...Thursday, August 7, 2008
looking for GRACE
Sometimes listening for God is really hard...there is so much uncertainty...and then we wait for a voice that might be a little louder or a sign that flashes to get our attention. Words like HOPE and GRACE pour down all around and we step over them...but always with the best intentions. Sometimes it's someone's smile or a door being held open that can change our mood and so we pay it forward by letting someone have our parking space or letting someone go in front of us in the grocery store line. It doesn't really take much effort to be kind...so I am wondering what does effort look like...the real thing...that which surpasses a smile or friendly gesture? And what exactly are the implications? Am I giving pieces of myself away when I take a little time to listen to others....or reach out? God has been speaking to my heart for days now and I'm certain at sometime I've prayed for these very moments...where all I had to do was turn my ear to heaven and open my eyes on earth to see where I am being called....at first it was subtle, through friends, through unexpected phone calls, through late night conversations with radical thinkers and yes, even through some of your blogs...and now I have reached a point where it isn't enough simply to acknowledge my thoughts...I am being nudged into action and so that is why I have decided to spend time with some homeless folks tomorrow...if they will have me...if they will tolerate my ignorance and accept what little I have to offer. Am I afraid? Yes, but only because it is outside of my comfort zone...but so is speaking in front of large groups of people and I have survived that in the past. I'm just in desperate need to witness what HOPE looks like and I really want to feel God's GRACE...I hope they won't mind sharing a little of it with me...
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Refining myself daily from the inside out... Feeling blessed by the simple things: sunshine laughter love -
Life is funny. At the beginning of the semester I pressed my slacks so as to be sure to look professional in all of my classes. I went to be...
7 comments:
gosh Joni I wish I didnt have to work, I'd so go with you, these people touch my heart in away that I cant describe....you'll be fine, it's a God given task and he'd never put you in something that would harm you, he'll have ALL his angels wing's protecting you if needed. PRETTY PLEASE POST as soon as you get in, I'll be thinking about you while I'm stuck working.
Love to you always
Annette
beautiful thoughts sweet joni....and i so understand this need...."reaching a point where it simply isn't enough to acknowlege my thoughts".....i have a need to "do' also, and keep praying to know....and perhaps i am just not listening closely enough....and it is right in front of my face.....sometimes we think it may be something grandiose, when it may be simply sharing and caring.
bless you joni, for your focus and for caring....i would be nervous too, only because as you say, it would be outside my comfort zone also and i would want it to be accepted in the way it was being offered...from the heart....i will be keeping you in my heart and prayers....and will look forward to hearing what you were blessed with.
hugs and love dear friend,
kimberly
I think you'll do just fine, He's standing with you, right? He will show the way.
Your words are so true. I'm inspired by your actions and your courage to reach beyond "good intentions". You have expressed my own thoughts and struggles in this area as well.
Oh I am jealous, you will recieve a great blessing tomorrow. How wonderful. Grace and hope abound all around us doesn't it? We do have to make the effort to look for it. And open our eyes and heart when we find it. Often times people are just so overwhelmed with life and all its issues that we forget to really see the hope that is right there in front of us. I too, like you, find it often in the reading of others....And yours is top of that list. I can not thank you enough for your kind and gentle spirit. I find it so calming to read you, to connect with you each day, and to feel the love in your heart for your fellow man. May you have a wonderful day tomorrow with God's children.
What a wonderful thing to do. I have often wanted to stop to talk to some of the homeless I see on the street corners or pusing a grocery cart full of all they have in life. GOd Bless You Joni.
Hugs
Patti
You, Dearest Joni, in my life, makes my world a better place. A place far more habitable and enjoyable. Thank you.
Lovingly ... (from One who has been one of the "Homeless")
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