Monday, February 22, 2010

Touching lives......

This is a post I ran last year about this time, and I was looking back in reflection, thought it was worth repeating.  It was a good reminder to me to look outside myself and see who I can touch today.  Perhaps it will inspire you as well, to touch the lives of others. 
First of all let me just say that I am thrilled for my blog to be up and running again.....I missed being involved in the lives of those few of you who stop by to read whatever inspiration I might be attempting to convey to you. Thanks from the bottom of my heart to those of you who actually missed me....that warms my heart. I thought I'd share today a little bit about my most recent Ladies' Bible study. We've just finished a series entitled A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George. We worked through the workbook and watched the DVD each week. Mostly we enjoyed sharing in each others lives. The last DVD lesson in particular brought out some terrific lessons that I wanted to share with you all. It was about touching the lives of others. Whether or not you have a Christian faith that drives you, you must agree that we benefit from connecting with others in our lives; we benefit from touching lives in a way that television cannot, that "how to books" cannot, that shopping or redecorating cannot.....we need positive human interaction! And in this last DVD lesson, Mrs. George discussed what is helpful to the ministry of a Christian woman. I thought I'd recap what she said.

1) Learn to work it out.....master your priorities. We only have a limited amount of time, and last time I checked it was only 24 hours per day. And some of those MUST be sleeping. She recognized the Proverbs 31 model for us all to use as a standard. We teach by message or by model....EVERYTHING we do or don't do teaches someone something. Honestly, that made me a little squirmy......something to think about. Also falling under this category is developing yourself. Don't avoid ministry/caring for someone else because you failed to take care of yourself or your own insecurity. Work on your weaknesses. If you feel you can't speak, take a class, or practice speaking. Every little practice helps. The more confident you feel, the more likely you are to touch a life...

2) Learn to reach out....learn the names of people and use them. We like to hear someone else call us by name. Plain and simple. You feel touched somehow if someone feels you are valuable enough to remember your name and use it. And let's face it, the more we use their names, the more we cement them in our brains and are more likely to remember them. Proverbs 11:24 encourages us to be a liberal giver and hold back nothing.

3) Learn to look out....go looking for those that are hurting. When you find one, be direct and intentional about helping. Write notes.....we just really  have to write three lines. That easy, but will be oh.so.meaningful. Make a phone call and simply say, "I thought of you, I prayed for you, and I just wanted to let you know."

In conclusion, give totally wherever you are. Wherever you are, BE ALL THERE. Live it to the hilt when you are there. We can all serve, we can all show mercy, we can all be giving. Go forth and be inspired! Just do it.

26 comments:

Stacey said...

Good Morning. I posted a message but it seemed to disappear. I'm trying again.

Just wanted you to know that I really enjoyed this post. I've had it in my mind and heart to try to be as encouraging to others as I can be. This post is full of great ideas. Thanks. :)

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Ho wonderful! I think you are a very good example of someone who reaches out to others. Thanks so much for sharing those thoughts!!!

XOXOXO
Jen

Domestic Designer said...

Great post! These are words that we all need to be reminded of frequently. Then we have to put legs to the words and make them real. Thanks for the inspiration! Have a great day!

Lois Christensen said...

I enjoyed your post. I have been trying to not say yes to so much in order to not be overstretched. I need to look for that book!! Thanks for sharing.

Lazy Mom Leslie said...

thanks for this post. I am usually good about reaching out to help people, but love the reminder to take care of myself as well.

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Wow! That sounds like a neat study! We were supposed to start "A Woman's Heart" by Beth Moore today, but it got cancelled due to the SnOW...we start next week. I am loving being involved in Bible study. How often does your church do them?

Tara said...

Lovely post. So true, so true.
I have taught in the school system for 23 years and have definitely had many opportunities to touch a life each and every day. I try to make it a point to say a kind word, do a kind gesture, or return a favor each day. You would be surprised how big a difference that makes in children's AND adult's lives. Thanks for sharing and reminding us.

Nancy Rosalina said...

This is a wonderful post full of wonderful advise!!! Blessings, Nancy

Robin said...

Thank you so much for this post! God sent this message to me, through you...HE knew I really needed it today!
I pray this helps me have a much better attitude tomorrow!!
You are an angel!!

{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}

Robin :o)

Jill said...

Simply Beautiful!
~Jill

Cathy said...

Excellent post Suzanne!

Cathy

Christine said...

Great POST! I needed to read this today! I am going to order this book today and dive into it. I think this would be a perfect book for the book club I am in as well. I gave a talk at a womans retreat last Fall and my talk was on David and I love the fact that he was a man after Gods own heart! We should all want to be people after Gods own heart. I am taking off for a couple weeks starting tomorrow, but I will return and catch up on your blogs over here..just wanted to take a moment and thank you for this and your thoughts here, you have encouraged me and I am so thankful for the food for the soul!

Anonymous said...

I did try last week several times to log onto your blog couldn't! I thrilled you're back up and running!
I read over everything from this week and I love this one expecially. Time is my issue right now...wow, I'm having a time balancing life and I'm an empty-nester without a job!
Looking forward to getting to know you better!
Happy Fridayh~

Sue said...

Suzanne, Glad to see you up and running again. What a touching post. I am a big Elizabeth George fan. When I read 'A Woman After God's Own Heart' it changed my life. I whole heartedly applied the chapter in the book ~ The Pursuit of God's Priorities ~ to my everyday life and saw immediate results. The name for my blog 'Life At Home' was chosen as a nob to Mrs. George.
So glad you came by today so I could share your joy of A Woman After God's Own Heart. You have inspired me to pick it up again as a refresher.
Hugs,
Sue

Rebecca said...

What a wonderful post for a fantastic day. Thanks, I needed that!

Rebecca said...

I meant to say too... I love your header. Its like walking into Spring!

Glimpse of My World said...

Thank you for your sweet commment... you left on my blog. You are my angel friend and us being connected by the blog world is amazing... you are dear to me and truly am blessed to know you. Hugs... from marker 5 today at MD Anderson... Valarie

Beverly said...

Thanks, Suzanne for a great start on Monday morning. That must have been a great bible study. As I was reading your 3 steps, I thought...I need to print this out to read every Monday (or more often in my case) Thanks for sharing from the heart.

Melissa Miller said...

Suzanne how wonderful! I adore this post sweet friend.

Thank you for your encouraging words on my healthy life. I really appreciate it.

~Blessings, Melissa :)

LegoLee329 said...

"Wherever you are, BE ALL THERE."

Busted.

I am so guilty of not being all there in just about any setting. I'm like a hound dog. . . always getting off the trail because I followed my nose after this thing or that. . . .

Thanks for the inspiration!

Richella Parham said...

Suzanne, I just posted a comment, but I didn't realize that my son was signed into Blogger, not me. That comment from "LegoLee"? That was actually from me. Sorry about that. I'm a little ditzy. ;)

Jenny said...

Hi Suzanne...love your mosaic. That is really wonderful. As is your post message. Thank you for this.

FrouFrouBritches said...

Awesome post Suzanne! Sounds like a great study!

Life-Rhythms said...

Hi Suzanne....I have just recently jumped into blog world and stumbled on yours. I am touched by your words. Women's Bible study is such a joy, even when it takes us a little out of our comfort zone. So glad you shared this.

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

I love the inspiration photos!!! :)

Southern Gal said...

I led that study for young women. Then I participated in the study for women. It really changed my life. Thanks for the reminder of what's important.