Encouragement for Today - June 20, 2008

June 20, 2008

Servant Friends

“The King will reply,'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”

Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

Devotion:

Hayley Grace and Sydney liked each other from the moment they met. They immediately bonded over music, dancing, making up cheers, and selling rocks. That’s right, I said selling rocks. Allow me to explain.

My family sponsors a child named Maria through Compassion International. Maria lives in Ecuador and she is absolutely beautiful inside and out. I had the privilege of meeting her last summer and it was a moment I will never forget. This child has brought my family and I closer to each other and to God. We talk about her as if she were a part of our family. We pray for her every night,write her letters, and send her pictures. She writes us, too. My daughter, Hayley Grace, is especially fond of Maria. She tells everyone about her and how they can help children just like Maria. We make sure that we not only send money to Maria, although that is much needed, but also carry on a relationship with her. That relationship is grounded in Christ.

One day, Hayley Grace was over at her friend Sydney’s house. She told her about Maria and how by giving just a little bit of money each month, Maria’s life has been changed. They decided to raise money together to make a difference in the life of a child. Sydney’s mother called me and said, “You won’t believe what our girls are doing. They set up a table, made a poster, and gathered rocks to sell.” We laughed and thought it was so cute. Their poster read, “Give Money for the Pore”… note the poor spelling. We thought surely no one would buy the rocks, but to our surprise those girls made $10 selling those rocks. They have since set up their “rock selling business” a few more times and the money collected so far is up to $22. Every penny will be going to Compassion International to help sponsor needy children.

The story doesn’t end there. Donna and Sydney have also decided to sponsor a child through Compassion International. As the Lord would have it, their child is a little girl named Nataly, the same age as Maria and also living in Ecuador. Now, once a month, we all get together for a rice and beans dinner (similar to what our sponsored kids may be having) and write our letters to Maria and Nataly.

There are many qualities of a good friendship, but when friends serve together, something special happens. They bond by being together, but they also bond by helping someone else. They can feel good about what they’ve done knowing they have personally made a difference in someone’s life. My daughter and her friend Sydney have taught me that.

Have you ever considered serving with friends? Look around. Opportunities are everywhere to contribute and serve. Try serving with one or more of your friends and soak up the blessings it will bring. Happy Serving!

Dear Lord, Thank You for blessing my daughter with a heart to serve. Thank You also for sending sponsors to Compassion International for Your children in need. Please provide a sponsor for each child who is still waiting for help. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Related Resources:

Child sponsorship through Compassion International

Do You Know Him?

A Love Worth Giving: Living in the Overflow of God’s Love by Max Lucado

Visit Melissa Taylor’s blog

Application Steps:

If you are not already involved in a service opportunity, ask God if there is a place He would like for you to serve. Think about a cause you are passionate about and rally a few friends to help you out with it.

Reflections:

How can I make a difference in the world?

Where would I like to serve?

Power Verses:

Matthew 20:28, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (NLT)

1 Corinthians 12:4-6, "There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but they all come from the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve the same Lord, and we can each do different things. Yet the same God works in all of us and helps us in everything we do." (CEV)

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105