The women's and children shelter became a mission project...
Illustration
The women's and children shelter became a mission project for the women's circle at church. The women would take turns talking with the women or playing games or reading stories to the children. Each month at the meeting the women would share their experiences volunteering their time helping out the local shelter. The maximum the women or children could stay at the shelter was just two months, which made establishing sustaining relationships difficult but not impossible.
At one of the women's meeting, Wendy said she would like to host a dinner at her home for the women and children that she met from the shelter. She told how she kept in touch with several after they left the shelter. Everyone agreed that this would be a wonderful idea -- a good home cooked meal.
Wendy no more than got into her car when she began having second thoughts, "Do we have enough space? Should I use the good china? I've never cooked a meal for so many people before? What if the food is no good?" Deep inside she felt this was a worthy project that she undertook.
She began cooking before sunrise. While the meat was in the oven she again cleaned her house wanting to make a good impression. She rearranged the place cards. Before she realized it she became lost in the details, wanting everything to be perfect. She was stressed out when one of the women from church came to help her. Her friend reminded her why she undertook such a project -- to show God's love to people who had experienced difficult times. Wendy took a deep breath and said a prayer seeking guidance.
The dinner was appreciated. All the women, from the church and shelter, had a good time. On the way out one of the women from the shelter said she could not believe that someone who go to so much trouble for her. Tears streamed down Wendy's face.
Sometimes we lose sight of why we do what we do. We get lost in the details instead of looking at the bigger picture. That was Martha's problem, she focused on the details failing to seize the unique opportunity to sit at Jesus' feet and learn from him.
At one of the women's meeting, Wendy said she would like to host a dinner at her home for the women and children that she met from the shelter. She told how she kept in touch with several after they left the shelter. Everyone agreed that this would be a wonderful idea -- a good home cooked meal.
Wendy no more than got into her car when she began having second thoughts, "Do we have enough space? Should I use the good china? I've never cooked a meal for so many people before? What if the food is no good?" Deep inside she felt this was a worthy project that she undertook.
She began cooking before sunrise. While the meat was in the oven she again cleaned her house wanting to make a good impression. She rearranged the place cards. Before she realized it she became lost in the details, wanting everything to be perfect. She was stressed out when one of the women from church came to help her. Her friend reminded her why she undertook such a project -- to show God's love to people who had experienced difficult times. Wendy took a deep breath and said a prayer seeking guidance.
The dinner was appreciated. All the women, from the church and shelter, had a good time. On the way out one of the women from the shelter said she could not believe that someone who go to so much trouble for her. Tears streamed down Wendy's face.
Sometimes we lose sight of why we do what we do. We get lost in the details instead of looking at the bigger picture. That was Martha's problem, she focused on the details failing to seize the unique opportunity to sit at Jesus' feet and learn from him.
