Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more. ~Anthony Robbins
Emily and I have been judging for regional ACE Convention today. It's such an honor to encourage the young people as they use their talents in ministry. From a clown who lost his dog to a one-act play featuring British men having tea, or puppets dipping seven times in a muddy river -- it's all geared to sharing God with the world.
Emily once stood on the other side of the judges' table and is thrilled her university's spring break is the same week as Convention. It's fun for me to watch her interact with the students, praying with them before their performance, giving kudos when they finish, and writing constructive comments on their papers, determined to be as fair as possible.
It's giving back. For the many judges who prayed with Emily, for those who gave kudos when she finished a monologue, dialogue or play, those who wrote constructive criticism that helped her go on to win at International Convention, she's returning the blessing. That's thrilling for a momma to watch. A blessing that fills me with joy. And I'm sure her Heavenly Father smiles, too. Through Paul, He reminds us to "Forget yourself long enough to lend a helping hand" (Philippians 2:4).
Sometimes the forgetting is the hardest. It's not that we don't want to lend the hand -- we're just so caught up with the day-to-day that we forget to look for the needs of others. Take a moment and look around. Who needs your help? Forget yourself and reach out. Your Heavenly Father will smile on you and you'll find your heart full of blessing.
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| Emily and Kayla 2013 |
Emily once stood on the other side of the judges' table and is thrilled her university's spring break is the same week as Convention. It's fun for me to watch her interact with the students, praying with them before their performance, giving kudos when they finish, and writing constructive comments on their papers, determined to be as fair as possible.
It's giving back. For the many judges who prayed with Emily, for those who gave kudos when she finished a monologue, dialogue or play, those who wrote constructive criticism that helped her go on to win at International Convention, she's returning the blessing. That's thrilling for a momma to watch. A blessing that fills me with joy. And I'm sure her Heavenly Father smiles, too. Through Paul, He reminds us to "Forget yourself long enough to lend a helping hand" (Philippians 2:4).
Sometimes the forgetting is the hardest. It's not that we don't want to lend the hand -- we're just so caught up with the day-to-day that we forget to look for the needs of others. Take a moment and look around. Who needs your help? Forget yourself and reach out. Your Heavenly Father will smile on you and you'll find your heart full of blessing.
17 comments:
How sweet for your daughter to have the opportunity to give back.
Hi Pamela, this is always a timely reminder. Thanks for giving to us, and for hosting and letting us share on your site.
Kathy M.
It is SO incredibly easy to get caught up in ourselves, what revolves around us and the people we know. This makes me wonder how many times I have seen people in need of a smile, a pat on the back, or just a kind word and never do it?
A great reminder that when our heart pulls at us and we feel we can make an impact we just need to DO IT.
Thanks for this encouraging post Pamela!
Blessings!
Denise
Great reminder.
Isn't that the truth? We get so caught up in the day-to-day that we forget to look. Thank you for this sweet reminder!
A lovely post.
Giving back, for me, is centred on my husband, now disabled. He has given me so many wonderful years and now it's my turn to minister to him.
It's so rewarding to pass on a blessing you've been given! Glad Emily got to participate in the judging this year!
This is great! My husband grew up in an ACE school in Baker City, Oregon and I taught there our first couple years married. After that, I used ACE in our homeschool for a bit. What a wonderful experience for your family. This is my first visit to your blog. I'm happy to link up and put your party on my list! I've just posted this week's new Homemaking Linkup and would love to have you join, if you'd like.
Blessings,
Mrs. Sarah Coller
A great reminder, Pamela. The biggest thing, and often the hardest thing, is forgetting yourself. I am so often dismayed at how much the *ME* in me gets in the way!
Helping others is at the heart of the Good News. Reaching out is the only way to reach in to hearts that need Him.
GOD BLESS!
Sounds like judging ACE was a blessing for the judges & participants! Thanks for the great post & for hosting & God bless!
It always feels so good to serve when HE calls us. The hard part is hearing HIS priorities sometimes.
It must be very rewarding to see your daughter participating this way. Helping others always results in blessings, the greatest is seeing the result of our reaching out to someone else. Thanks for sharing.
Such a beautiful post Pamela!
We all need to step back from the hustle bustle and let God speak to us about reaching beyond ourselves, for that is where God works HIS MIRACLES!
Be Blessed,
Danette
Thanks for the reminder that we need to put our concerns aside and reach out to others. It's a wonderful way to forget about problems and to receive a blessing!
lovely and true! thanks for sharing at FHC about the tea drinking men :) laughed along with you and appreciated your taking time to share it with me !
Hoping my link is what you're after for your party...? feel free to let me know if I've missed the mark ! and you can point me in the right direction ! :)
You always have such sweet links to visit! Enjoy your week! Sweet hugs!
I'm taking a lot of time and visiting around your blog; my heart needs the comfort. Since Dave died it's been difficult to dang near impossible. I have no support system where I live but am trying to prepare to move back to central VA near my family. Your blog is a world of comfort, God bless you.
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