Feburary Update

Dear Family and Friends,

We have been studying the book of Titus recently in our Monday Night Bible Study. As we went over the text, one verse really stood out to me:

“Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.” -Titus 3:14

As we looked at this verse we talked about the wording of “our people” and how that could mean the Church. Basically, Paul was telling Titus to teach the believers in Crete to do good for others, to meet needs. This is being fruitful as a Christian. As part of God’s Church, I am called to come to the aid of others.

This became very real to me on two recent occasions:

The first came when I took a plate of holiday cookies to my next door neighbor. As I handed the plate to him he looked at me quizzically, so I told him I just wanted to share a treat with him and wish him Merry Christmas. He took the plate and replied, “This is the first time anyone has ever done this.” His next statement was that he was sorry he didn’t have anything to offer me. I didn’t quite know what to say, I was very surprised. In my childhood I remember it being pretty standard to exchange home-made goodies with the neighbors, I never thought about that being unusual in this culture. But as I went back to my house and thought about it I wished that I had explained myself better. I would have told him that I did not want anything from him. My purpose in taking him that small gift was simply to share God’s love with him in a tangible way.

The second came one day during our after-school program at the Center. As we were playing Pictionary, Jr. (the new game of choice for our kids) one of the girls suddenly asked why we have the program. When one of my co-leaders told her that it is just because we want to get to know her, she replied, “Why do you even waste your time with us? Haven’t you heard that we are bad kids? Did the government send you to spy on us?” We told her we are definitely not working for the government and we do not report on her to anyone. Honestly, though, I was a little speechless. I was unsure of what to say. And again, after I had time to think about it later I wished I had been quicker on my feet to explain exactly why I am part of this program. I wish I had told her that I really do like being with her, I see her potential, I believe in her. And most importantly, I know God loves her and so it is not important to me what other people say about her. We each have sin in our lives which causes us to make mistakes and wrong choices. Really, she is no worse than I am and I wouldn’t choose to work with any kids other than the ones in this program.

Whether it be taking gifts to neighbors, spending time with kids after school, or anything else, there are endless opportunities around me to do good. The problem is that sometimes I overlook them, and sometimes I just ignore them. And even when I get it right and do what I should for other people, sometimes they still might not even understand why I am doing what I do. My hope is that in the future when they ask me why I will be ready to answer by telling them about the love of God and how I simply want to share that love with them. In the end I just want to be fruitful and bring Him glory.

In His Love,
Beth