God continues to do a work within me as He softens my heart for brokenness. He continues to open my eyes a little wider and to not be afraid. Conviction continues in this area as He used a sermon yesterday to remind me of sin. In James it says that if we know what we are to do and yet we don't do it...it is sin. Ouch. In other words...when God nudges us to move, reach out, give, serve and we say no...it is sin.
I want to share with you two stories I have heard regarding this very thing:
STORY 1- A lady is sitting in church and according to the clock there is still about fifteen minutes left. God nudged her to leave at that time. In obedience she leaves and as she enters the foyer she is alone...except...for a woman who is stuggling to open the bathroom door. This woman suffers with MS and walks with the aid of a walker. She then knew why God led her to leave the service...to help this lady. In further obedience, she waits inside the bathroom so she can open the door for the lady as she leaves. How simple was that...listen...leave...open...open again...obedience.
He calls some to leave home for the mission field in far away lands...He calls some to leave their seat and just open a door.
STORY 2 - My friend Sandi was engaged in a conversation with a bagger at a grocery store. Through this conversation she realized he is struggling with selling a home and needs help decluttering and cleaning. God nudged Sandi...she obeyed and offered to help this family clean and declutter. WOW! He calls some to go into the inner city and help drug addicts and others clean up their lives. He calls some to help clean a house.
He calls all of us to something...what is your story? Send it to me and I'll post it on the blog.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
THE GREAT COVER-UP PART 1
Conviction can come in a suttle way or a huge slap in the face. Lately I feel like conviction has come to me like a 2x4 to the head.
Here is what I am feeling right now. My name is Joy Trachsel and I have a fear of brokenness. (Hello Joy) Let me explain.
I think of myself as a somewhat compassionate person...but who have I been fooling. Yes...I will listen to your story...shake my head as I am saddened by your words and then offer you a lazy..."I am sorry to hear that...but I'll pray for you." I realize that sometimes brokenness in others scares me. I think it is because I am afraid that one...I can't help you...two...you may want me to help you and I am either too busy...too afraid or not confident in my abilities. Or three...I just don't want to have to take time to get involved in something that may stretch me, sadden me or make me realize the hurts in others. Sometimes it is much easier for me to donate to a cause then to be part of the cause. I truly believe this is why God has me at ACCESS.
I have heard stories from clients that make you want to shout out to God WHY? Sometimes I hear their stories and I want to go to my office...shut the door and escape. No...this can't be my response. I know that I can't save any of them. I know that only He has the power to change their lives...but I know one thing. (remember that 2x4 I mentioned) He has called each of us to be His hands, feet and voice.
What am I trying to say....I..We...need to uncover the brokeness in our world, our city, and yes...ourselves.
Funding is needed for many causes...but I do believe that we can do more. I believe we can put aside our to do lists...and make time for the broken people of our lives.
I am reminded that scripture tells us to go to Judea, Samaria and Jerusaleum. Where is your Judea?
Here is my challenge to myself. Someone has come into my life that I know struggles...this person loves a yellow purse that I carry. We joke about my purse all the time. Problem....I love my purse as well. I feel like I need to do something as small as give her my purse. Why do I struggle with this? Pride...materialism...the list goes on.
Okay...this week...Purse needs to be gone.
I'll let you know how the purse saga goes. In the end...I know that God always wins
Here is what I am feeling right now. My name is Joy Trachsel and I have a fear of brokenness. (Hello Joy) Let me explain.
I think of myself as a somewhat compassionate person...but who have I been fooling. Yes...I will listen to your story...shake my head as I am saddened by your words and then offer you a lazy..."I am sorry to hear that...but I'll pray for you." I realize that sometimes brokenness in others scares me. I think it is because I am afraid that one...I can't help you...two...you may want me to help you and I am either too busy...too afraid or not confident in my abilities. Or three...I just don't want to have to take time to get involved in something that may stretch me, sadden me or make me realize the hurts in others. Sometimes it is much easier for me to donate to a cause then to be part of the cause. I truly believe this is why God has me at ACCESS.
I have heard stories from clients that make you want to shout out to God WHY? Sometimes I hear their stories and I want to go to my office...shut the door and escape. No...this can't be my response. I know that I can't save any of them. I know that only He has the power to change their lives...but I know one thing. (remember that 2x4 I mentioned) He has called each of us to be His hands, feet and voice.
What am I trying to say....I..We...need to uncover the brokeness in our world, our city, and yes...ourselves.
Funding is needed for many causes...but I do believe that we can do more. I believe we can put aside our to do lists...and make time for the broken people of our lives.
I am reminded that scripture tells us to go to Judea, Samaria and Jerusaleum. Where is your Judea?
Here is my challenge to myself. Someone has come into my life that I know struggles...this person loves a yellow purse that I carry. We joke about my purse all the time. Problem....I love my purse as well. I feel like I need to do something as small as give her my purse. Why do I struggle with this? Pride...materialism...the list goes on.
Okay...this week...Purse needs to be gone.
I'll let you know how the purse saga goes. In the end...I know that God always wins
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Lessons from a Five Year Old
The Bible tell us that the older shall teach the young...but I believe it is also true in the reverse.
I have written and yelled from the mountain tops how much I love my new job at ACCESS. I look forward to going to the shelter each day to truly see what God has in store. He never fails to amaze me at His goodness and His provision.
The other day I was busy completing an unordinary amount of paperwork when a young five year tugged on my leg and said "would you play with me." I had a choice. I could continue in the busyness of my day or stop and play with a child who spends her days in a shelter. I chose the latter and grabbed her little pudgy hand and skipped off to play.
When we entered the playroom I suggested that we do a puzzle. How hard could that be? I mean I could quickly do the puzzle, satisfy her want to play and quickly return to work. I thought I was really smart when I chose a new one assuring that all the pieces would be there and would speed up our play time.
We began the process and soon fifteen minutes had passed and our Barney puzzle was still very much incomplete. I looked at my darling little friend and suggested that we quit and play again later. What happened next left me speechless and in tears. This precious child looked me square in the eye and said "never quit Miss Joy...never quit." A child who at this time in her life is homeless and living in a shelter is telling me not to quit. She is telling a grown woman, who knows where she will be sleeping tonight, knows what she will be eating tonight...to never quit.
We began working again on our puzzle and fifteen minutes later we were finished.
We celebrated our victory with high fives and loud cheers. What a lesson I learned that day from a pre-schooler?
I have written and yelled from the mountain tops how much I love my new job at ACCESS. I look forward to going to the shelter each day to truly see what God has in store. He never fails to amaze me at His goodness and His provision.
The other day I was busy completing an unordinary amount of paperwork when a young five year tugged on my leg and said "would you play with me." I had a choice. I could continue in the busyness of my day or stop and play with a child who spends her days in a shelter. I chose the latter and grabbed her little pudgy hand and skipped off to play.
When we entered the playroom I suggested that we do a puzzle. How hard could that be? I mean I could quickly do the puzzle, satisfy her want to play and quickly return to work. I thought I was really smart when I chose a new one assuring that all the pieces would be there and would speed up our play time.
We began the process and soon fifteen minutes had passed and our Barney puzzle was still very much incomplete. I looked at my darling little friend and suggested that we quit and play again later. What happened next left me speechless and in tears. This precious child looked me square in the eye and said "never quit Miss Joy...never quit." A child who at this time in her life is homeless and living in a shelter is telling me not to quit. She is telling a grown woman, who knows where she will be sleeping tonight, knows what she will be eating tonight...to never quit.
We began working again on our puzzle and fifteen minutes later we were finished.
We celebrated our victory with high fives and loud cheers. What a lesson I learned that day from a pre-schooler?
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