Put it on a lamp stand.

Last week a pretty simple CarePortal Request hit my inbox. The neighborhood school had identified a mom who needed a little help with groceries. It was an easy yes. I had a Kroger gift card sitting on my desk. So I connected with this young mom and invited her to meet me at church this weekend and pick up the gift card. Moments after I finished that conversation, I got a phone call from the school professional who had submitted that need. With joy in her voice, the community coordinator from the school said, "God is winking at us! I just had to call you and tell you a little bit more about this mom" She went on to describe what this sweet mom meant to her, how desperately she needed community and how excited she was that I'd invited her to church.

I'm noticing that caseworkers often feel unable to offer the spiritual guidance, community connection and ongoing relational care they feel a family really needs. Even when a physical need can be met in other ways, CarePortal offers the option of rallying the church around the families they serve. Our caseworkers and school professionals feel supported and loved when we care for the families they care about!

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."~Matthew 5:14-16

I realized that in the course of my normal, logical plan making "why don't you meet me at church this week", I had inadvertently put a lamp on its stand. My friend from the school saw what I had done, and immediately GAVE GOD THE GLORY for arranging something she isn't allowed to set in motion from her desk at work. Let's not forget that Jesus called US the light of the world because the light of Christ literally shines through us. May we become beacons that show people the way to the Lord!

If you want to get more involved click here to JOIN OUR RESPONSE TEAM , meet local needs and build community for local families... and click here to donate to our Greater Cincinnati CarePortal Fund so we can serve more kids and shine more light!!!