More Shelter Sightings

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these. ~George Washington Carver

In my wandering through the blogs of friends, both old and new, I find people all over the world who shelter.  They may not call it sheltering -- but I do.  Life can be hard.  The aging wonder if their social security checks will cover all their expenses , and parents try to keep all their obligations to their jobs while trying to raise kids with character.  Children worry about things we didn't even dream of  at their age -- gunmen shooting at random, bullying and the pressure to conform.  Teens feel like nobody cares and most of us can't see past the piercings and black trench coats. 

I've been asking the Lord lately to help me see each person as an individual.  Not an economic class, a race, behavior or physical appearance, but someone loved by God with hurts buried in their heart and a mask on their countenance. If I can bring beauty or joy to their lives for a few minutes, I would be thrilled.  

These are people who touch lives...

Monica from the The Homespun Heart is a beautiful, creative mother of three.  A very busy mother who homeschools, plans the sweetest parties and picnics, entertains creatively and decorates her home with joy.  

In the years I have read Monica's blog I have been challenged by the sweetness of her giving to others. Whether it's her time, her finances or the delightful hand crafted gifts, she gives out of the fullness of her heart.  

The post, "Waiting Gracefully," shows the gift of friendship, prayers and time.  The greatest gifts don't always cost money -- they are a giving of oneself.

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Wendy from My Heart is Always Home is a stay-at-home mom to Megan.  Megan joined their family at nine months when they adopted her from China.  She's a cheerful, list-maker organized, garden grower Christian who cares deeply about the tragedies not only at home but in other countries, including earthquake victims in Haiti.  

Wendy shares her gardening abundance with elderly neighbors, drops off extra supplies at their favorite charity, and shares extra coupons with others.  In this post on hospitality, Wendy shares how to offer hospitality away from home. 

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My last Shelterer is Amber from Making a Home.  She is a home-school mom to her three children.  In her words, she feels "incredibly blessed" to to be called to be a stay-at-home mom.  Amber journals her prayers and desires her blog to glorify God.

In sheltering, I believe it must begin at home.  God gave us our families and intends us to bless them with love, devotion and gentleness.  Amber wrote this great post on 50 Practical Ways to Affirm our Husbands and Make Them Feel Love and Respected.  

Winston Churchill said, "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."  I hope this post will help you to understand that giving does not need to be expensive.  Each of these young mothers are busy.  Yet each of them takes time to share of themselves, and from the abundance God has given them.  

Giving by Shirley Hughes
I know a Shirley Hughes who not only
gives extravagantly, but taught her
daughter to shelter, too.

Giving does not have to cost a cent.  You can give hugs, attention, smiles.   I promise that if you give to others you will find a contentment deep in your heart.  A generous man will himself be blessed (Proverbs 22:9).

Mother's Teresa  gave love extravagantly.  She said, "If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one."  I challenge you to find just one person to shelter this week.  Make it a gift with little or no expense.  Use Monica, Wendy or Amber's ideas or come up with one of your own.  Give consciously by asking the Holy Spirit for guidance.

Someone is hurting, overwhelmed or experiencing health issues. Shelter. Shelter the unemployed, your depressed friend and the tech who takes your blood at the lab. Shelter your husband, those kids who call you mother and your great aunt who lives alone. Reach out those leafy arms, bend your branches protectively, and give joy as the wind rustles your leaves.  

This post is linked to
Pay it Forward

Thank Goodness it's Friday

That Friday Blog Hop

Home is Where My Story Begins