God is impressing upon my heart lately about the power of one. One life at a time we can make a difference. Moms with their kids. Friends with each other. Neighbors talking. Or coworkers sharing.
Many of us will never work in a mega ministry, but we can still love and serve where we live. I’ve been on a high lately typing prayers to strangers. Loving people through my written words. I feel a chill come over me as I type words of encouragement. I feel love for people I’ve never met as I pray or write. I believe that is God’s love filling my heart.
Recently I’ve received emails that make me cry. As I’ve read their sweet words, I felt God’s spirit saying, “This is your ministry.” One at a time. I am moved by this idea. I am addicted to loving others with words. I am especially drawn to encourage someone who is hurting.
It reminds me of the article I wrote about my abortion for Focus on the Family’s Heartlink website a few years ago. I prayed God let me hear from one person. Focus told me they don’t normally hear from their readers. But our great God was faithful to my request. I heard from one gal. And since then, this precious friend and I have kept in touch. When I met her via e-mail, her abortion was still a secret. Fourteen years a secret. I watched God heal her heart as she has told her family and friends.
Today, she and her husband are involved in with a pro-life ministry and they share their story with churches a four times a year. I feel humbled to know my story helped her in a small way find freedom and her ministry. I now stand in awe at how far she’s come. God is good!
So who is your “one”? What can you say or do to show love today?
I believe more and more this is where real change and life happens. In relationships. One on one. Even if you speak to groups, which is sweeter the applause of the crowd or the words of one saying your message was just for him or her?
***Marsha added some great insight to this power of one. Visit her blog for more on this topic. She did the math and I’m overwhelmed. Thanks for thinking deeper with me, Marsha! I loved your post.***
The power of one is an amazing phenomenon. 1+1+2. Simple concept right? Come over to my blog and see what that simple equation has the potential to be. I’ll have it up in 30 minutes.
I read your entire post while shaking my head emphatically yes! Couldn’t agree with you more. I never feel God’s presence more fully than when I’m loving through encouragement. My husband and I both love to do this through various means. Often we minister to “our one” through prayer and notes of encouragement. I’m confident God tenders our hearts many times to those who need His loving touch. I believe this because often WHAT He prompts us to do, and WHO he prompts us to encourage are neither things we would have thought to do, nor people we would have thought were hurting. This never fails to fill our hearts and we eagerly look for opportunities to do it again and again.
I read a beautiful quote from Mother Theresa once. It said something like…We can all be a pencil in the hand of God writing His love letter to the world.
I sure want to be a part of that.
Okay, so it took me a little bit longer to do the math! BUT it’s up!
Amen my sweet friend, this is so very true.
Tiffany,
Your beautiful heart stirs me to gratefulness. I remember when I was a teenager in high school. I wanted so badly to be a cheerleader. I worked hard, practicing long hours and finally my opportunity came to try out. I didn’t get picked. I hurt so much. I wanted so desperately to cheer.
A pastor in the church in the town we moved told us that often what you desired as a child is what is in you as an adult. One day Papa showed me that I was His cheerleader. He had chosen me to cheer others on their journeys. I LOVE cheering someone on their journey. Like you I love loving others with words.
All I want in life is to be used of Him to tell others of His beautiful love. Sometimes I struggle with knowing where to do that. Not everyone wants to be cheered on or given a cup of His refreshing water that satisfies. Yet Papa keeps saying to me, “Love never fails”. “Offer them love”.
I am glad to be one who has found you and your beautiful words.
Thank you for this inspiring post.
Love,
Julie
Even though I often speak to groups while stateside or work with groups overseas, it’s the one on one time that really makes the difference…talking and praying with a Russian orphan whose mother died, encouaging Ghanain pastors, sharing parts of my faith journey with those in central Asia… Scripture does tell us to always be ready to give reason for the hope we have. And, most times, that sharing is over “a cup of tea.”
WOW…I’m with you sweet friend.
Your post really hit a cord in my heart….as I believe/feel the SAME way.
Your heart is SO beautiful…and God is USING you in powerful ways friend.
My prayer DAILY is that God opens the eyes and ears of my heart…so that TODAY…I can touch SOMEONE for HIM!
Kim~
Amen. Too many times we measure our success as Christians in the way the world measures success. The more applause we get, the bigger the crowds, the wider our level of influence, the more success. But that’s not the way Jesus did it. Jesus attracted multitudes by caring enough to love people, to notice their pain and their needs when no one else cared to.
I was in a cathedral in Germany with a couple of my friends when a group of elderly people were pushed through the crowds in wheelchairs. I’ll never forget my astonishment and fascination as one of my friends, Jasmine, walked toward the woman in charge and asked permission to pray for each one of the people in the wheelchairs. She quietly put her hand on their shoulders and whispered a prayer for each one, offering each a smile and a pat on the back.
What might happen if each of us stepped up like that in everyday situations and ministered in the small ways that the Spirit leads us to? Through emails, friendships with neighbors, and silent prayers for those we pass in the grocery store we could start a revolution.
Blessings,
Reese
Thanks, friends, again for weighing in on a topic dear to me. I can’t take the time with my writing deadlines to truly express my thoughts and gratitude. But please know I read everyone of your comments. They bless me.
Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak
knowledge are a rare jewel. Proverbs 20:15
So grateful for you, keeping making a difference♥
So true! I love hearing your words of wisdom ring so loud and true! Hugs dear friend!
I have Mother’s Theresa’s quote on my website. It doesn’t matter if you are writing for one or a zillion, it is the fact that you are writing and giving it to God to send where He wants.
I so love the idea of one on one.
Recently, Jim and began to seek God about His next step in our lives. We have always ministered to older people in our lives, it seems that that is going to happen again soon. I am excited about the open door, but scared at the same time. An entirely new yet, experienced ministry. We shall see, need prayers. There will be many one on one opportunities. He always closes a door, before opening another, at least that is how it works for Jim and I. We stand amazed and praising at this moment.
Hugs,
Paulette Harris
http://www.pauletteharris.biz
comeandsitawhile.blogspot.blog.com
Amen Tiffany! We can make a difference by loving through Jesus power.
Beautiful thoughts & SO true. A great bloggy friend of mine, has been doing a series of posts along these lines…similar anyway…and I have had many rumblings inside along the same lines…I believe God is drawing us, drawing us all into action, service, love…
Thanks for being His willing instrument!
P.S. My friends blog is this:
http://ruweary2.blogspot.com/