Thinking.Feeling.Doing.

I've had the same conversation this week with 3 different people. Anytime I'm repeating myself, I immediately ask God if there's anything He would like to say on the topic!

Here's the topic, or the question that keeps cropping up: How do I deal with it when I have been generous with a family and done my best to serve them but there is still need? What if they keep asking for help, even after I have exhausted my resources? What should I say or do when the need begins to overwhelm me, or worse- I start to feel taken advantage of?

I mentor and partner with so many generous people that deeply desire to do everything they can! I am proud of the open dialogues we have between servant hearted people who genuinely want to empower without enabling. We pray regularly for the needs that come through the CarePortal Platform and into our inboxes. We concern ourselves with the wellbeing of our neightbors. It's clear that we all want what is very best for the families we care about. And yet, we can't solve every problem. We can't provide every item. We can't meet every need. So where does that leave us?

I like to check in with the Lord. Is my mind right- Am I THINKING about this correctly and according to God's purposes for me? . Is my heart right - Am I operating from a healthy, loving place rather than a FEELING of guilt. And, are my actions right- Am DOING all good I am called to do?

THINKING:

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" ~Romans 12:2

All I can say here, is we have to turn to the Lord and ask HIM what's required of us. " Lord, help us not to conform to the world. Comparing our giving to our neighbor's will never develop in us a Christ mindset! Guide us as we strive to transform and renew our minds- our thoughts (even our politics- I know, ouch) so that we can discern YOUR good, accptable and perfect will."

FEELING:

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ~2 Corinthians 9:7

I read 2 Cointhians 9:7 and I PRAY that God will increase my cheerfulness. "Lord, help me to be a cheerful giver! Help me make joy filled decisions about what I can give. Help me press toward giving MORE and increase the JOY in that as well! Give me discernment and open my eyes to the places where my generocity feels compusory- the places I feel reluctant. Show me the difference between a check from Holy spirit and a pang of selfishness. Grow me in this area! Thank you."

DOING:

"In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus... he humbled himself and was fully obedient to God".~Philippians 2:5-11

The old "WWJD" approach. Based on what I know of my saviour, What would Jesus do? What I know is that Jesus, even though he was able, didn't meet every need. He didn't heal every person suffering. He didn't end poverty or walk around nude because someone else needed his clothing. ... but his NAME is Imannuel. God with us! "Lord, be with us. Be with the families we serve. We invite you into these situations -that we clearly can't solve on our own. Help us to be your hands and feet by showing up in every way that we are capable. When we come to the end of our resources, allow us to give more of ourselves and point all the more adamantly toward you."~AMEN

Practically speaking, I like to engage on equal footing with the families I meet. It's really important to me that we relate as neighbors (without a "haves and have-nots"power dynamic in place). So when I don't have what it takes to meet all the needs, I lean in to my relationships. Do I know anyone who can fill this gap for US? (becasue we are in this together and WE are solving together). I try to meet people in problem, without the expecttion that I am a solution. I try to offer prayer and make sure that I dont carry burdens any farther than to the feet of Jesus. That helps me feel GOOD, cheerful, productive and connected to the Lord's will!