Hand and Feet of Jesus - Part 2

I am nearing the end of this great bible study with some amazing ladies at church. I love when I sign up for a bible study because it requires me to dig deeper into God word, to really chew on the scriptures and it promotes more growth in my walk. Especially when I get to discuss it with the other amazing women of many different ages and upbringings in our group. I love learning from those who have may be a little ahead of me in life. They bring so much wisdom to the table!

The study is of the book of Jonah. Titled: Jonah - navigating a life interrupted by Priscilla Shirer. this has been an amazing study and it has really hit home for me for many reasons.

1. I never thought I would ever leave the comfort of the city/area that I was born and raised in. When God layed it on our hearts to make the move to CO it surely was a "life interrupted".
2.  Everytime we bring new foster kiddos into our home, or when they move on to go back with their biological families...it surely is a "life interrupted".
3. Joshua and I each recently got the phone call we hoped we would never ever get in our lives. That call saying that each of our Grandmothers has cancer. Truly a "life interrupted".

How do we navigate it?  I honestly think this is one of those things I am still learning, and will continue to learn until the day God brings me home.

Pricilla has challenged us to look at the interrupted life not as "a life interrupted" but "a privileged life"or a "divine intervention".  She says "Your life involves you but is ultimately not about you. Knowing this allows you to be more willing to relinquish control of your life and yield to the "divine intervention".

I could go on and on about this study and what I have learned, but one thing I want to focus on is a challenge that Pricilla Shirer gave us at the beginning of the study. She challenged us to pray that God would reveal to us how we could be the "Hands and Feet of Jesus" through out our study. To pray that God would lead us to opportunities on how we could do that. I immediately thought of all the opportunities that I already have and am already doing. I teach and lead my treasures to Jesus daily in our home. Joshua and I lead the youth at church. We open our home to foster kids. We provide meals to families who are ill or grieving. We are more than willing to step up when we see a need at church.  I love that God has given us all these opportunities and I truly love serving Him in these ways. He continues to equip us and grow us as we serve Him in these areas.  I'm a check list type of person, and when I went through all the things we are doing already to be His hands and Feet, I mentally checked the box. As if saying yep, I'm doing that. Then I began thinking more about it and decided I love all those things we are already doing, and I want to be careful not to become "too busy", but I committed to praying and asking God if there were any other areas I needed growth on when it comes to being the Hands and Feet of Jesus. I asked him to reveal this to me throughout the study.

A few weeks back after I had been praying about this for about a week Joshua was contacted by a grandson of an old family friend of his from his childhood. This young fella (now 19 yrs old), mentioned that he was going to be in our area and asked if he could see Joshua and visit with us. Joshua and I talked about it, and we love having visitors so we decided to have him over for dinner. We love to have people in our home, we have had many conversation about this home and how we say its "ours" but really it isn't. God has provided it for us and we have prayed that it would be a place that we could use for His glory, a place for ministry, and hospitality, and place where people would feel God love and his presence.  So, Joshua let this young fella know that we would love to have him for dinner. He was in town, and didn't have a ride out to our farm, so Joshua picked him up and brought him over. We hardly know this young fella, that last time Joshua saw him was when he was 4yrs old, but Joshua knows his grandma and thought it would be nice to catch up with this young man. We quickly realized that this young fella was on a journey living what he called the "hobo" life. He arrived to our home with his dog, a very dirty face,  filthy clothes that smelled of a mixture of body odor and camp fire smoke. We welcomed him in and provided him with a warm meal. He came later than expected so our children had already gone to bed. We sat and listened to his story and how his journey was going. He had been traveling and living on the streets for a year or so. We knew that snow was expected to hit our area, and that the  temperatures were below freezing at night.  We decided to offer to allow him to stay in our guest house for one night. We gave him toiletries to shower with, a clean towel, and clean bedding. The following morning we said goodbye, and Joshua brought him back to town so that he could continue his journey.

I was so grateful that we have our guest house and that we could offer it to him to stay, there is no way I would have him stay in our home. We didn't really know this young man, we hadn't built trust to have him around our kids or sleep on the same level as them in our home. That night I struggled to sleep because I felt anxious about him being here and just the unknown of who he was. To be honest there was a sense of relief when Joshua brought him back to town.  After that we went about our day, our schedule, our life. Then I got the call from Joshua "he'd like to come stay for the weekend, so I will pick him up after work". Joshua seemed to think this was a good idea, he wasn't worried about it.  In all honestly I got off the phone and I was mad. This guy calls himself a "hobo", but in all honesty in my head he was homeless. I had no idea what kinda awful things he may be into. I was worried that I couldn't trust him with our kids and our home and guest home. We don't keep much money in the house but I immediately went to hide what we had. I talked to the kids about making sure they aren't alone at all with this guy. I explained to them that we just don't know him. Wow- I felt like my life was interrupted, and my heart was bitter about it. He hadn't even said thank you for the meal and shelter we had provided him the night before. All of these thoughts were going through our head.

Joshua brought him home, we had our traditional "Friday family pizza night"and he joined us. The kids asked him questions about his dog and his life. He was warm and friendly with them. When they went to bed we sat and visited with him and heard more of his story. We heard the "why" behind his travels. We heard how he gets money to continue to travel. Honestly, I felt like he was just avoiding what a young man should do when they get out of high school. He was avoiding college, trade school, or work. In his mind he was discovering himself and the world with the hopes that this journey would allow him to figure out what he wants to do with his life. He told us about all the places he has stayed and explained how he gets to ride trains for free because he doesn't take passenger trains, instead he hops in the boxes of the freight trains. He talked about all the hitch hiking he has done, and the different place he has slept. He explained that he has met amazing people along the way.

After conversation we all went to bed, as he left our home to head over the guest house I went around and locked every door in our home. We feel like we live in a pretty safe place, but that night I wasn't sure if we were safe. As I went to bed that night I had bitterness in my heart. I want my children to grow up to become responsible adults who work hard and are a contributing member to the community and society. I don't want them to be handed things for free or to use others to get through life. I also was still struggling to trust this young man, and was restless and I was trying to get to sleep. I prayed and asked God to reveal to me why this guy was here, and why my life had been interrupted by this guy.  The next morning as I was doing my Jonah bible study I realized why this fella had shown up at our place. I had been asking God to show me how to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and this was it. This wasn't really what I was thinking, but Gods plan is different. My heart started to change from bitterness to acceptance, and I decided to move forward in our weekend with intentionality in mind. I had waisted that past two days, and I needed to make up for lost time and figure out how I could be the hands and feet of Jesus for this guy. Because of my flesh, worry, and selfishness I almost missed this opportunity.

We spent the next couple days living life with this young man. For a short period of time he was apart of our family just doing life with us. He expressed an interest in going to church and we took him to church, and youth group. He asked questions about faith and we answered. We shared our love for the Lord and need for a savior with him. We talked about what he called "spiritual" things. He expressed interest in going to church when he gets back to where he came from (his home)". Joshua shared about the churches he knows in that area and encouraged him to get plugged in. Monday morning he went on his way and continued his journey. He left our home with memories made and a bible in hand. Joshua dropped him off at the bus station,  prayed for him,  and said goodbye.

We don't know what the future has for him, but I am so glad that God opened my eyes to the opportunity that landed right on our door step. We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus on God terms, not our own.

Winter on the farm

Hands and Feet of Jesus - 1

I have no words that can explain or express how I have seen Jesus in the community around us. I know as Christ followers we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I have see this through His body of believers during different seasons of our life, and we have strived to do the same. However, I don't remember seeing it so clearly in action. The past few months we have clearly see this in the way of generosity of the body of Christ. 

Generosity is defined as the act of freely giving or sharing money and/or other VALUABLE things. Providing more than the amount that is needed or normal; abundant or ample. Showing kindness or concern for others.

God's word tell speaks often about generosity. Here are just a few examples:
"Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people especially to those who belong to the family of believers" Galations 6:10

" Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.  Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." 2 Corinthians 9:10-13 

As believers we are called to be a light for Him and if we truly live this way then we will be generous people. I think many people think of money when they think of generousity.  Yes, that is one way we could be generous, we can give away what the Lord has blessed us with to bless others for His glory. There are times in life when people are struggling financially and it may not be wise for them the be extra generous with their money, but that doesn't mean they can't continue to live a life of generosity. Generosity is defined as being generous with VALUABLE things. Time is very valuable, everyone has life that goes on, their family, their hobbies. So many people in our church community have been generous with their time. They put a pause button on their agenda to think about us,  check in, pray, encourage and intentionally speak life into ours. Generosity is given through conversation, when others generously lift others up, and intentionally go out of the way to do so. We have also seen the body of Christ demonstrate generosity through their resources, personal energy by helping us, and their heart. A few years  ago I read on of my favorite books called "Love Does"by Bob Goff. Bob says, "Don't save up love like you are trying to retire on it, give it away like you are made of it" Bob Goff 

I have experienced generosity so many times in my life in many different ways. Mostly from those who are in my family or who are very close to our family. Maybe generosity is more expected or understood from those who are that close to you.   I am very grateful to have had these experiences! In all honesty many times I have struggled much of the time to receive generosity from those who maybe aren't in my family. I was raised to be independent and to do things on my own, so receiving generosity is an area that I am growing in. Lately,  I have asked myself why I haven't experienced generosity a this level in the past. I think it is different now as we are in a community of people who we have only know for a year and half. A community that truly loves the Lord and strives to serve Him in all areas of their life. This community that God has provided us blows me away. It continually overwhelms me and brings me to tears of joy. It really is a community, each person bringing their own gifts and talents to the table to work together as a body of Christ. It is beautiful, and the amount of time they know each other doesn't matter when it comes to the way the live out generosity. 

This community was intune to some of our families tangible, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs the past few months, and they worked together to help to meet them in very unexpected ways and it was from the kindness of their own hearts without expecting anything in return. Some were even generous without allowing us to know who they were. 

Here are just a few examples of how we have seen generosity in action:
- just because gift to lift our spirits when our close friends moved away. 
- sweet notes, texts, emails, and conversations. 
- a family spontaneously showed up to help fix our goat fencing . 
- a family excited about caring for our animals while were were in CA visiting family without expecting anything in return. 
- warm meal delivered upon our return home from our CA trip. 
- groceries delivered when we had our foster kiddos 
- a beautiful Christmas card with a $100 cash in it, and no signature or return address. 
- goody basket from our church family thanking us for our commitment to the youth ministry. 
- invite to a special event, that is all paid for. 
-financial gifts when Joshua's hours were cut at work. 
- continued Equestrian PE for our kiddos asking nothing in return

This is truly how I believe God intends life to be. He desires that we live life together in such a way that we are thinking of others, and that we wouldn't hold onto "our" Valuable things/time/energy with such tight grip. We are called to be His hands and feet. All of what we have is because of HIM but often times we hold onto it so tight as if it is our and to be used only for our desires..the truth is that their is so much joy in loving generously when it comes from your heart. It is also important to receive with Joy, and to not turn away the generosity being given. I am still learning this, but when we turn away the generosity we are stealing a blessing from the giver. 

This idea is so counter cultural. People work hard to make money to enjoy it for themselves. The other day we were at the library and Jeremiah said "Mommy it is so nice that the library shares their books with us". It is so true! Wow, we are at the library weekly. We are so grateful for the ability to check out books. They bless us so much. He went on to say, "Mommy why does the Library just give us duck food to feed the ducks at the lake? Why don't we have to pay?". Again this is something that blesses us so much. Every Thursday when we are at the library we get to get duck food and walk behind the library to the lake to feed the ducks. It's something we look forward to every week, moments that we cherish. I don't really know they why behind the free duck food, but I like to think that the library manger is generous and finds joy in providing children and families with the opportunity to feed and enjoys the ducks at the lake. It's interesting that our 6 year old questions why they would just give it to us. Yes, we do teach our treasures that we need to work hard for the things that we want, and that we need to save our money if we want to buy or pay for extra special things, but we also teach them that one reason we work hard and save is so that we too can give! 

We Praise the Lord that we are surrounded by a community of believers that lets God lead their life, and that they are obedient when He prompts them to be generous.! 

We love Thursday afternoons at the little lake behind the library

On the way home from the library, we were greeted by this lovely family of dear crossing our path.