Servant's Heart?

Last week while visiting with our daughter and her family for Thanksgiving, Christy and I were again discussing a book that she claims "has changed my life."  In the course of this conversation, she made a statement that has not left me.  She said, "There is no way a person can read this book and not be changed, if they have a servant's heart."  She does by the way.  But I immediately thought, "Do I?"

One way Christy and her family have sought to minister is through Respite Care where they keep foster children in order to give the foster parents a break.  This is such a ministry to these parents but has also blessed this busy family of six.

I have continued to think about that statement and my immediate response.  I would love to tell you that I answered my own question with an assertive and confident "Of course I do."  But, to be truthful, I have not.  As I've examined myself, I have acknowledged that I would much prefer to be served that to serve.  I do not make sacrifice easily and when I am called to step outside my comfort zone to do something for someone else, I often see it as a sacrifce and not a service done out of humility and love.

Is it just me or does the Lord keep reinforcing lessons He desires to teach?  This morning on the front page of the South Bend Tribune was an article about a couple who have written a book entitled Hello Gorgeous.  http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/sbt-hello-gorgeous-founders-write-first-book-20111129,0,3610036.story

Hello Gorgeous! is a book about women who battle cancer and a unique organization that serves them by restoring a sense of beauty and vitality in their life.

Hello Gorgeous! was founded in 2005 in South Bend, Indiana by Kim and Mike Becker. Moved by a desire to use their talents and energies on behalf of those facing the effects of cancer treatment, the Beckers sold their full-service hair salon and set out on a mission to provide free, surprise, all-day makeovers designed to help overcome the negative effects of radiation and chemotherapy. With the help of donations and volunteer help, the Beckers were able to buy and equip a Holiday Rambler RV and extend their program to communities in the surrounding areas. Now, they have fostered affiliates in several states.

I read with admiration how this couple, fueled by a desire to simply minister to women who were surviving the affects of cancer, have given themselves to creating beauty without and ended up giving these ladies a sense of beauty within as well.  What a servant's heart!

Before I left Christy's she gave me the book that changed her life, Kisses From Katie.

Not surprising to my daughter, I have not been able to put this book down.  I read in amazment about this wonderful young lady's life.  And on every page, I am reminded of what Christy said, "...if you have a servant's heart."  But, I also have to ask myself, "Do I really trust the Lord to take care of my every need as Katie does or as the Lord would have me to?"  Again, that answer is a resounding "No!"  But I desire to!

This story is about a young 18 year old girl who grew up in affluence in Tennessee and felt God's call on her life to go to Uganda, not as a missionary, or a nurse, or a teacher, although she ended up being all of those, but just to "LOVE."  And that she is doing!  Now at the ripe old age of 22, she has adopted 14 beautiful "chocolate-colored" girls (her description) and is the founder and director of a non-profit ministry called Amazima.  You can read her blog at http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/.

As I continue to think on my daughter's statement and what it means for me, I must continually pray, "Lord, give me a passion to serve you.  Change my selfish heart into a servant's heart."

Happy Thanksgiving

Well, early in the morning Hubby and I will attempt to fit ourselves into our overstuffed Avalon for the first leg of our long anticipated trip.  We have been sorting and packing and trying desperately to imagine the need for coats and sweaters for the north while parading around in shorts and sleeveless tops in this 80 degree Louisiana weather.  How does one pack for a month of ice and snow while the air conditioner continues to cycle?

The first stop will be in College Station, TX to visit some of our pre-marriage friends who have been out of touch until recently.  We are so looking forward to catching up on all the interim years.  Derry is retired from the A&M School of  Veterinary Medicine.  Tomorrow, we will be privileged to attend their Retirees Luncheon and hear an outstanding choral presentation.

Then we will join our daughter and her family in Carrollton, TX for Thanksgiving.  We love our tradition of sharing this special day with these precious people for whom we are so grateful.

Then, we head north to Lucus Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana to watch our only grandson play for the state 5-A title in High School football.  He is only a Junior and starting varsity, so this is a huge event for him and his family.  We are thrilled to be a part of this special day.

We will remain with our son and his family for the month of December while anticipating a White Christmas.

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you, and may your time spent with those special ones in your life be an overflowing blessing.  Dick and I are so very thankful for you in our lives.

Libby

What Makes You Beautiful - Holly Garth

Happy Monday Morning!

It is such a gorgeous day here in Northwest Louisiana.  We are expecting rain tomorrow for which we are so grateful.  Things are getting quite busy at the Day house with our anticipated trip next week to see long-time friends and then have Thanksgiving with our daughter and her family.  Then we will head north for an extended visit in Indiana.  So that means getting clothes ready to pack and the house in order.  Busy times, but eager anticipation!

Because this is such a busy season right now, I just haven't had the time to spend on my on-going topic; however, there are wonderful bloggers who have taken the time to write.  Many of these do address my title theme of Beauty Without Within and as long as they don't mind my borrowing, I am happy to share with you, my reader.

This was posted by Holly Garth and her blog can be found at:  http://www.holleygerth.com/home/

What Makes You Beautiful

As a little girl, I believed anyone related to you automatically thought you were beautiful. The kids at school might tease me but aunts and grandmas gushed, "Look at those cheeks! Look at that hair!"
 
Over time, I realized my little theory might not quite be true. I just happened to belong to an especially gracious (and very southern) family who chose to see the best in me.

But for the longest time I thought blood ties made you beautiful.

Pushing a vaccuum through the hall the other day, hair in a messy ponytail, I felt anything but lovely. I thought of my sweet relatives and wished someone were there to gush over me--even in my unsightly state.

Then I realized that Someone in my life did see me as beautiful right here, right now.

"Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

I paused for a moment in my cleaning, leaned back against the wall and smiled.

Aha!

It turns out I'd been right all along...

Blood ties do make us beautiful. 

Perhaps not always the kind that flow through family trees but forever the kind that flowed down a tree made into a cross.

Yes, He takes all of our unloveliness and turns it into what only He can...
all beauty. 

--Holley

Best Beauty Tip - Ann Voskamp

I want to share with you today from Ann Voskamp's blog:  http://www.aholyexperience.com/

Best Beauty Tip

He knows I am not, and I know too, so we don’t talk about it, except when he pretends and I call his bluff.
I have my grandmother’s nose, my father’s cheekbones, the Chambers’ cowlick, a daughter following the paternal line, just like my father’s mother before me. So, no, I am not beautiful. So be it.

For flesh fades and flowers wither and I have settled it, except for the days, now and then, when I am paying attention and look in the mirror and sigh, the grey shining like a coronet at my temples, silver I’d rather forfeit.

Or when standing on the scale, digits tattle taling on that extra slice of warm bread, the cookies dunked in tea, the finishing off of leftovers on little one’s plate. I am caught and there really isn’t anything to say but feebly mumbled resolve and a promise to go tend the vineyard.

Or when looking down and seeing, then fingering, the stretchmarks from these six children who have swollen the walls of me, skin pulled taut and stretched… then released and let go, leaving wrinkles behind when they gave notice, cut the cord, and slipped out into spaces of their own.

Well, it could be that, perhaps, now and then, maybe I have less than settled it?

It’s no secret or surprise: running this river racing towards Home isn’t for the faint of heart, aging and graying and sagging and the youth once accepted in beauty’s stead now too ebbs away as the current rushes on.

So maybe that is why he says it, each morning a spoon cupping close in the dark slowly warming to day. His words tickle early, first.

“You’re beautiful.”

And I startle the slowly waking day with my laughter, so wrong and ridiculous it is.

“See?” he grins. “You are.”

“Every woman who smiles is beautiful.”
And, I wonder: Why don’t we then?
Genesis 33:10

“And what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God!”

Lord, if Your joy is in my heart, write it on my face. You, O Beautiful One.
Photo: Ann smiling…

“If you are saved, inform your face.” ~Unknown