*Poem*

Where I’m From

Rachel Carter

I am from Oatmeal on Wednesday, Eggs on Tuesday

From searching for wampum, and the kiss from mom

I am from full days and early bedtimes

From rainy day bike rides and walks after dinner

I am from I love yous and I’m sorrys

From sugar on snow and the smell of wood smoke

I am from Pancakes on Sunday and Cereal on Friday

From sweatshirts and woodstoves and shucking corn

I am from tractors and wood-splitters... typing practice

From sounds of chainsaws all summer long

I am from hauling brush with brother and feeding chickens

From basketball and cross country skiing

I am from Cream of Wheat Monday and French Toast Thursday

From gravel driveways and skinned knees

I am from roller-skating Saturday nights

And "It is Well with my Soul" Sunday mornings

I am from Mr. Nice Guy and homemade cookies

From goats in the kitchen and matchbox cars

I am from Mrs. Murphy’s fresh Doughnut Saturday

From Baptism in the Holy Spirit, to an outstretched hand...

Song for 2010

This song speaks so deeply to my heart.- Changed

We can all make a difference...

This morning I was asked to give the message at the street church, Reach4Hope that I am a part of. We give a message and have prayer followed by assisting with the material needs of the homeless, or needy in our community. This is what God put on my heart to share:

1 Peter 3: 8-12a Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing.

Whoever wants to embrace life

and see the day fill up with good,

Here's what you do:

Say nothing evil or hurtful;

Snub evil and cultivate good;

run after peace for all you're worth.

God looks on all this with approval,

listening and responding well to what he's asked;

I share this word with you today because each week we come here in the hopes to meet your physical needs, yes, but more than anything, to show you God’s love.

Its not pretty but I know that I would be living much more selfishly and judgementally if it weren’t for someone in my life who took the time to show me Gods love, which is what we’re here to show you. I don’t have all the answers, but I have faith and I believe in God’s love for me- and in God’s love for you. I believe this because when I was 15 my parents brought me to a church where God used a 21 year-old hemophiliac who had contracted AIDS through a blood transfusion to show me what God’s Love looked like.

His name was Steve and he had a heart for God like none-other I’ve met to this day. While he was battling a disease that wastaking his life away a bit more each day, somehow he found the strength to reach out to the high school kids at his church, and become a friend to us- to become a friend to me. He cheered at our sporting games, he checked in to see how things were going at home. He would meet up with us for meals. He did things to show that he cared. He reached out beyond his problems.

Steve showed me that God uses EVERYONE. God has a purpose and a plan for each one of us here. Steve was up against more struggles than anyone else I knew- yet he found time to love as Jesus did.

Whether you’re employed, or not, homeless, or in a home- God can use you. God WANTS to use you. He knew where you would be today. He knew from the day you were born what path your life would take. He hasn’t always said it would be easy- but he has promised to be WITH US.

Our trusting him shows us we believe in him. Our stepping out in faith and helping a stranger, forgiving and praying for someone who has hurt you- these are things that we ALL can do to begin to show His Love. God sent Jesus because he knew we would mess up. He loves us and wants to use us despite our history.

Wherever you are at in life, I KNOW God has a plan for you. If you claim God’s love and step out in prayer for a neighbor- THAT makes a difference. If you sit down at a table over at the kitchen and extend an ear as a support to someone who needs it- THAT makes a difference. When you begin to tell people it is because of God’s Love for you that brings you to Love them- THAT makes a difference that lasts an eternity.

Yes, I was fortunate to grow up in a Christian home, but it wasn’t until I saw God’s love displayed through Steve that I realized I hadn’t truly been getting it. I needed to ACT OUT what I put my faith in. If Steve, a 21 year-old hemophiliac with AIDS could make the time to think beyond his own problems to the cares and concerns of others- Then I knew I needed to surrender my selfishness every day.

I still battle judgment and selfishness, and I know there are things in your life that you are confronted with every day too. My prayer is that you would look to what you CAN do.

We all can pray, we all can listen. Let’s extend each other Grace. We’re in the middle of a long, cold winter. If Jesus were here, I believe he would be happy to be at this van, meeting needs. But lets take this love beyond the material gifts of this morning. Let’s show each other this grace and understanding during the week. When you’re cold, hungry, tired- annoyed with trying to find work. TRUST that God is going to use you, if you have a heart open to his direction.

Many of you have touched my life already. Whether here, or talking at the First Church shelter. I see a family amongst many of you. I see that you look out for each other. Keep it up and do it with the strength of God.

My life was forever changed because someone looked beyond himself. I pray we can do that for each other as well.

Do It Anyway

I found this poem among my things today. I'm not sure of the author, but I wanted to share...

DO IT ANYWAY

People are often unreasonable, illogical,

And self-centered;

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you

Of selfish, ulterior motives;

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some

False friends and some true enemies;

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank;

People may cheat you;

Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building,

someone could destroy overnight;

Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness,

they may be jealous;

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today,

people will often forget tomorrow;

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,

and it may never be enough;

Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis

it is between you and God

It was never between you and them anyway.

Ahh Snow.

Today is one of those days I just find myself walking around with a slight smile on my face. I have Christmas music on (yay Pandora!)as I pick up the weeks piles that accumulate from dropping and running on the go. This afternoon of peace just plain makes me grateful. There is a light blanket of snow- our first of the season- and I want to stop and appreciate it. Yes, it caused me to turn around on my way to see a friend earlier on due to a need for new tires- but right now, I have no grumbles, no anxiety of having to rush to the next thing. I am just enjoying a chance to simply BE. Love it. And, I am grateful that I can go and buy new tires tomorrow without stress. I continue to be reminded that my enough is oh so much more than enough. I love this day and I love where God has me in life right now- couldn't have written it better myself. Thankful...

Perspective...

My lack of blogging has no connection to lack of thought... In fact, I think that in the past 5 months my mind, heart, and prayers have been so active, I haven't wanted to commit anything to print, knowing God was likely to shake things up at any time.

One of my prayers in the past 3 months has been where I should attend church. I have been attending, and serving at Manchester Christian Church for the past 5 years. I simply love the network of people I have met there over the years. At the end of this summer, however, I felt a stirring for a change. Not knowing if it was me stirring things up, or God, I sought counsel from leaders at MCC, and ultimately decided to switch churches to a church in my hometown of Concord to be able to get involved in local outreach.

God heard my prayer, and has honored my step into the unknown. Since I have made that decision I have felt a floodgate of opportunities open up to me. My heart has been in this place for a long time, but after my experience in Rwanda, I have wanted to put to action what I learned there in my local community.

This morning I got such an opportunity. All this week I have been battling a head cold that has rendered me useless outside of the school day. I knew, however, that I had said I would help out at the Reach van this morning for the first time (ministry to the homeless). I was up during the night congested and feeling awful, but I had given my word, so I wanted to follow through. Boy, did I get a dose of perspective.

Upon my arrival at 8:30, I was face to face with people less well that me, who hadn't slept on a firm mattress, with a down comforter, plenty of tissues, in a heat regulated home. Some had slept in tents with one eye open, praying for the sun to rise. They had the cough that I was battling, yet they had to persevere without medicine, or comfort.

I was hit with the realization through the prayers we were saying for these people, the encouraging conversations we were having, the toiletries we were giving, that WAY too often I get caught up in MY world.

Spending the morning with Jamie, Celene, Michael, John... let me know that yes, God has been working in my heart, and building my empathy, and THANK GOD, he has given me the chance now to begin being His hands, and His feet.

My Saturday mornings will no longer be the same, I will look at my city through different eyes, my prayers will be peppered with these new faces. I just pray God would show me if He has me where He wants me for a time, or if He is stirring me, and prepping me for more change. Right now, today, I am CERTAIN that I am where God would have me be, and I am so thankful for that.

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes" (Matthew 6:34 MSG).

My Grandparents

Last week at this time I was with family in Virginia. We were gathered to honor and remember the life of my dad's father and my "Grandpabud." 

Grandpabud was one of the healthiest, vibrant, full of life people I knew- at 81 years old!! The 2 weeks following his unexpected stroke, and before his passing, our family joined together to send emails of memories and "Grandpabud-isms" to comfort each other across the country. While these brought many tears to my eyes, they also served to confirm what my cousin Megan wrote- "Most people aren't lucky enough to KNOW someone like Grandpabud, and we get to call him our grandfather."

I have been beyond blessed to have had a grandfather like Grandpabud, and to have a grandmother like my Grammie.  Being around them has always felt like a big hug. Their genuine interest in the lives of whomever they meet, and their generous hearts willing and wanting to make everyone feel comfortable and at home are amazing. While I know they did this for everyone- all of us grandkids felt it in a way that truly made us feel unique and special. Now that's something to strive for.

I think of my life before 80 and I realize that I have about 50 years to go... I don't know about you, but sometimes I get so caught up in my dreams and desires and questioning why I don't have them now- when, really, God is so aware and so perfect in His big picture timing. 

The road that I am on is to be traveled with joy- knowing that God has abundantly blessed me- through situations that "seem right" to me, and also by strengthening me through trials and developing my character through challenges. My Grammie and Grandpabud have been respected throughout their lives- but I have no doubt that they grew in their character as life and circumstances changed around them. Through it all they remained dedicated to serving God and their family- and the legacy that that leaves behind is something that can't have come without heartache and hard times among the blessings.

I guess I write this today thankful for today; thankful for my grandparents and others in my life, thankful for the journey I am on, and the road ahead. Where it goes? I don't know- but I do hope and pray that Lord-willing if I keep my priorities in line- looking inward to God for my strength and purpose, yet looking outward to see how He wants to use me; I can lead a life for this next 50 years that resembles the heart, generosity, love, and servitude of my grandparents.

I will miss you Grandpabud. My love to you Grammie.