Give Our Best, Our First…

I recently spent time at a local birthday party for the Homeless.  I don’t like that we call them “the Homeless”…they are people…like me and you.  I have a heart for the those who are homeless, hungry, hurting and in need.  It was a joy to be there and serve them…celebrate them.  I have such a respect for those who serve this population on a daily basis.  They truly are the hands and feet of God…serving Him by serving them.

Definitely takes me to this passage of scripture:

Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ 40 And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’  Matthew 25:34

Missions, shelters and those that serve meals to those in need have most of their food donated to them.  Much of that food is old, expired, unsellable.  Remnants, leftovers.

There was a moment last night that struck me to the core and brought tears to my eyes.

There were peaches on the food line – from outward appearance you could tell they were probably a little past date.  What you couldn’t see from the outside is that they were rotten to the core.  I saw some of those peaches bitten into – then spit out.  The flesh of those peaches was so spoiled it was dark gray.  I almost gagged just from seeing them – much less taking a bite.  Needless to say, those peaches ended up in the trash – but only after someone had begun to eat them.

These people…these precious children of God…no less deserving than you or I – are worth more than our LEAST, our leftovers, our trash.  Truly, when you look at other passages of scripture - God wants our best, our first. When we are serving the “least of these” – He has already said that means we have done it unto HIM.  That means they should be given our best, our first.  Not our remnants.  They should not be an afterthought – rather a first thought.

Even as I type this tears are streaming down my face.  We are called to serve the poor, the hungry, the widow, the orphans…those in need.  How are we living that and what are we giving.  Our best?  Our first?

I challenge you each to think of one thing you can do this week to put someone in need first…and do it to the best of your ability.

 

(Taken from my 365 Days to a New Me blog)

Originally posted 2011-05-02 07:11:55. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Weekend Respite

Yes, it was awhile ago but I wish there was another one this weekend – but it was wonderful.  Not sure if you remember me telling you about this place when I went with my best friend for my birthday – I was fortunate enough to go again this past weekend with my momma.   The Sylvia Beach Hotel is where we spent 2 glorious nights and days.   This hotel is sure to become a regular destination for me, I’m actually longing for the day when I will go out there by myself.  Just me, a couple of books and the Sylvia Beach is all I need for complete relaxation.

I have stayed so busy these last few months.  Probably too busy.  With the personal life stress it’s just been easier to keep busy.  Sometimes you can stay so busy you forget to feel.  It took us being at the hotel for almost 15 hours before I felt like my shoulders weren’t up around my ears!  When I realized that I was so tense I decided the best thing was to go for a walk/run on the beach.  I laced up the running shoes, popped my earbuds in (Sidewalk Prophets was my soudtrack) and headed outside.  I was met with a breezy/chilly day – and drizzly rain.  The me before this 365 day journey would have turned around and gone back inside the dry hotel.  Actually, who am I kidding, the me before this journey wouldn’t have even considered going for a run!    I simply zipped my track jacket to the top and headed outside.  I started out on the road and made my way down to the beach…

Breathing in the ocean air and feeling the mist on my face was wonderful.  Releasing my stress with exercise is truly the best…and I know that.  I just don’t always do it.

Listening to wonderful music, singing along, praying…all of it felt so good.  At my best friends suggestion I grabbed a couple of stones – assigned some of my feelings to them and chucked them into the ocean.  By the time I was heading back to the hotel I was smiling and laughing – feeling soooo much better.

Suffice it to say the remainder of the weekend was so relaxing!  I read a whole book from cover to cover in less than 24 hours – can’t remember the last time I took the time to do that.  I drank more cups of tea than I can count.

I was observant of the quiet.

The library is such a peaceful, quiet place.  During the evening I simply closed my book, shut my eyes and listened:

• to the sharp crackle of the fire.
• droplets of rain hitting the old pane windows
• the wind whipping in off the ocean – battering the old house
• a soft sip of the mulled wine
• the whisper of a page turning
• the silence of no one speaking

It was perfect.

The dinner was fabulous as usual and our dinner companions truly delightful.  Shout out to Juno, James, Julie, Angie, CM & Kendra (and of course my mom)!  You were the best!  I was able to stump the table with my two truths and a lie – super fun.  The mushroom soup we were served was out of this world…all of us wishing for the recipe and with the serving bowl not making it back to the kitchen until someone had taken a piece of bread to sop up any remaining in the bowl.

I kept true to the 365 plan and stayed away from all gluten, sugar or cheese…the dessert looked so tempting – it was a lemon custard brulee.   The end of this first part of the journey is just under 2 weeks away – there’s no way I would cheat now! 

I’m planning a trip back already – hopefully the first part of June.  I already know which room I want to stay in…the Hemingway.  The new carpet is so plush, there’s plenty of light and privacy since it’s a corner room.  It just felt like a great room when I checked it out.  Here’s a pic to the right…..

Mom and I stayed in the Alica Walker room and it was vibrant and cozy.

See for yourself:

So…need a place to stay?  A place to rest.  Restore.  Be refreshed.

Then this is the place for you!

No tv’s, no phones, no wifi.  Truly a place to be “unplugged”.  A place that feels like going home to grandma’s house.  Where pj’s and slippers are permissible in the library.

I encourage you to check it out.  Enjoy.

Originally posted 2011-05-03 18:10:13. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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