You are a blessing, Hazel. I love to hear how people use their gifts in creative ways. There are many ways we can love people and you are doing so many!

I discovered that Jordan’s crossings has 4 homes for men, and 1 for women. I have difficulty hearing certain tones such as a men’s low voice. So at our prayer meeting, when the men make a comment, I ask Pastor Rodney, to answer, also if they are speaking to me, I ask Helen what they said. They understand and I get lots of hugs. Pastor did purchase 4 head sets and gave me one to keep so I can hear the sermons. If they turn on the equipment, during our prayer meeting, I can use a head set and hand a microphone to the one sharing. They enter in and enjoy the lessons. Last meeting, I asked “why did the lost sheep get lost?” and other thought provoking questions. Two years ago, I asked Pastor if he had a “focus” for the next prayer meeting, and if not, I had one. He said go for it, and gave the meeting over to me. He says it is a load off his back and then he can attend to other things. I bake 4 loaves of pumpkin bread each week for Sunday, for the 9:30am coffee time, when the homeless come for a treat. The church has coffee and donuts, but my bread is always gone. I love the way you relate to those homeless young men you have met and minister too.

How informed you are of your town’s resources, Hazel! That’s beautiful. We have similar programs in my town, but depending on the weather, they can fill up fast. I don’t think we have a program like Jordan’s Crossing though (love that name!). Maybe that will be in our future. What a wonderful ministry that your church participates in with the young men. Even though you may not can hear them very well, I’m sure your love is evident to them just by your presence.

I agree, Barbie: God will provide the opportunities for us to give of whatever we have. It’s not always money (sometimes I wonder if it’s the least about money?), but more about our hearts and energy and attention.

Thanks, Carol. I want to be more of an encourager than a complainer, so I have to consciously think about it and switch gears when I slip over to the wrong side.

You did well, Amanda. Sometimes what we offer isn’t what they are looking for, but when our intentions are honorable, love is spread anyway. We never know what God is doing behind the scenes with those seeds that we may never see!