Thursday turned out to be one of those days I really needed. Saying that it had been a tough week would be the understatement of the year; but the Lord knew just what I needed. Not only encouragement but an eye opening example of Grateful, Giving Hearts all day long.
It started with the $100 bill story (Check it out our Nothing but the Truth Ministry Facebook Page) of a 10 year old giving up the $100 bill her grandmother gave her at Christmas. Now you might be thinking that’s no big deal because she has her parents to take care of her needs. That’s true. I bet this 10 year old is not worrying about giving so much and not having what she needs because she knows her daddy is going to take care of her. Ouch! Maybe this is what Jesus meant when He talked about childlike faith. A grateful heart.
It was approaching time to open Truth’s Place and typically we have some of our ministry partners provide the meal for our night of worship and teaching but this night was special. One of our Truth’s Place family members provided the meal. And what a meal it was! Chicken, green beans, collards and potato salad. Small portions were not on the menu either. Everyone’s plate was piled high with food prepared and given in love. A giving heart.
The evening continued with two families from Truth’s Place also contributing funds for the weekend food ministry. This may not sound like much to most, however, I challenge you will stop and think about this. This grateful giving is coming from those most would look at as the ones to be served. Hearts and lives giving back and giving sacrificially.
I wonder how much we (I) miss when I don’t look to what everyone can contribute? Everyone’s giving won’t look the same but it all matters the same.
Lastly, that night the Lord returned one of our dear friends to Truth’s Place that we hadn’t seen since the first night we opened. As he walked in, he was welcomed with hugs and smiles that lasted the entire night. He was amazed at all the Lord had done at Truth’s Place since that first night and he recognized it as the fulfillment of a vision the Lord laid on our hearts.
Yes, after a tough week the Lord showed me so much. How much and how powerfully He is working in lives. What sacrificial giving looks like. What the faith of a child can do. What a grateful heart feels like.
Want to know how good my God is? This night was the one year anniversary of opening Truth’s Place! From then to now… ALL praise and thanks to my God!
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4-5