Pay Attention to Those God Nudges

It’s not that I don’t have enough on my plate daily to keep me busy, but when a God nudge comes along; I know I better act on it. Yesterday I started my one half-day a week volunteering at the Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital here in Frisco. I watched this hospital being built and every time I drove by it, I sensed a little nudge to be there to love on those precious children. It’s quite the vetting process to go through to be a volunteer in a health facility, as well as the immunizations and training required. My fellow volunteer, Paz, and I were assigned to the surgery area where we were on hand to serve the families while their young ones were in surgery. We also helped sort medical supplies in the surgical area – thus our trendy surgical scrubs!

What blessed me the most about the morning was being teamed up with Paz, a bilingual teacher who gives time to volunteering at the hospital. Right away, our faith connected us as we talked about God’s goodness. I witnessed how God orchestrates sweet divine appointments as my sweet bilingual friend was able to interpret the surgeon for this young child’s Latino grandmother. I could sense a “divine” connection between the two ladies.

While there, I was reminded of my young self at 13-years-old being a Candy Striper volunteer for Baylor Hospital in downtown Dallas. The unique job title represented the candy cane look of the red and white-striped pinafores we wore. We assisted the nurses by serving the patients in basic ways (i.e., taking them flowers and mail, refilling their water jugs, carrying specimens to the lab, etc.).

Maybe it was because I had a very sick daddy and would have to hang out at the hospital with my mom I acquired the love of serving at the hospital. The notion of wanting to be a nurse started way back then. It didn’t happen in the professional sense, but I sure “nursed” some precious loved ones, especially my mom, my sister, dear friends, and my own children. I was put into the throes of nursing as I cared for my husband in our make-shift “home” hospital, giving him an infusion three times a day. I’ll admit my hesitancy to take on such a role that I only witnessed Registered Nurses performing in the hospital. It did seem overwhelming at first with so many sterilizing techniques, flushing the lines, clamping and not clamping, and calculating the drip timing, but like a good student who practices and prepares, I got it down pretty good:6 am – 2 pm – 10 pm. I was “nursing”!

I shared my “nursing” and “volunteering” story to you today to show you how God brings back some of the most incidental moments of our lives for cultivating heart desires and eventual opportunities to give back the blessings of what we’ve received. It’s a matter of staying on point and being present for God’s sweet nudges that lead to our cups being full and overflowing. A friend of mine kept feeling the nudges to assist in hospice care. Today she joyfully gives of herself in such soothing and heartfelt ways to patients and their loved ones. I have another dear friend who was a teacher for many years. Today she teaches religious education at church. Then there’s my friend who played baseball in college and today he uses his abilities to coach boys’ baseball.

Is there somewhere that you could give a few hours out of your week to help others be the best they can be because you care? Maybe God has given you talents and a desire to be a big brother or big sister, a mentor, or a caregiver just because you want to pay back the blessings you were given. Start by being sensitive to God’s little nudges. I promise you – when you step up to bless others…..you’ll be the recipient of the most blessings.

Proverbs 11:25 “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”

Treasure Hunt for Treasures

Day 330 of Photo Inspirations -- Treasure Hunt for Treasures
Thanksgiving Week is well underway at Nana's house.  The Treasure Hunt for Bryson was a success that led to awesome treasures, not just for him, but everyone!  $5 Dollar Tree cards.  It's a "must-have" trip while they're here.

Plungers were the big buy last time they were here.  I know that sounds gross -- but not when they're turned into swords or batons, and NOT used for that which they were originally intended!   LOL!  

On their own, a couple of years ago, the kids, with their $5 in hand for their trip to the $1 store, started the tradition of having a White Elephant/Dirty Santa" gift exchange with their $1 store items.    They meticulouly choose their items and when they're back home, the mayheim begins.  They get out gift wrapping paper and gift bags and go to an individual secret wrapping place and wrap each of their $1 treasures.

Then the gift exchange begins.  You would think those bags/wrapped gifts contained $50 items instead of $1 by the excitement. Honestly, it is worth the effort, because it's such a fun adventure and exchange.  One of them bought the Santa hat -- thus Lexi's stylin' in this photo; Bryson had purchased a $1 t-shirt and came home and wrote "I love Lexi on it" -- he wanted to keep it when he drew it for himself.  They have so much fun -- it's honestly a highlight of coming to Nana's at Thanksgiving.

I love this special time together.  All eleven of us are packed in my not-so-big house.  Only 2 or 3 times a year, do I think about back when we had a huge home with plenty beds and bedrooms that accommodated all of us so nicely.  But I've figured out....even in cramped places, love, celebration and great silliness can abound.  Blow-up and fold-up mattresses  in my office and closet -- create a just  fine, "camping indoors"  experience for the kids.  And, there is no way to complain or wish for the "good ole' days" when I consider the meager existence that so many in our world live in -- barely a roof over their head to call home, no running water, dirt floors, with just a mat to sleep on.  According to the United Nations Development Programme, more than a billion people in the world live with less than a dollar per day; almost almost half of the global population, live with less than 2 dollars per day.  That puts a whole new perspective on a "trip to the $1 Store.   When we give ourselves mental visuals like that, then "BLESSED beyond description" is how we should feel -- no matter what our living conditions might be.

And, BLESSED, is the operative word -- not, "lucky","fortunate",  "deserved" or "privileged".  We ARE BLESSED!   And we are blessed -- to be a BLESSING!.  We can't just simply say "THANK YOU", and go on our way.  We MUST do something about those blessings.  In fact, we're held accountable for them.   Luke 12:48 says ".......when someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required."  There is responsibility that comes with blessings.  Actually, it becomes a cycle of blessings, because we see in Proverbs 11:25,  "The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped."  It's that "give and it shall be given", law of reciprocity....that just keeps on giving.

So, this Thanksgiving week, while we're in an attitude of gratitude, let's remember that we are blessed to bless; gifted to give; forgiven to forgive; loved to love.  Instead of Thanksgiving, just maybe our mindset should be Thanks AND Giving!

Blessed to be a Blessing

Thanksgiving Week is here and I'm so thankful! My family are on their way to me! I'm ready for them! I've got the Treasure Hunt ready to go for my big 8-year birthday boy. Most of my baking and cooking is done, and all that goes with 11 of us in my not-so-big house. Only 3 or 4 times a year, do I think about "back when" I had a big house that had plenty of beds and bedrooms for all of us. But it's okay -- I've got the blow-up and fold-up mattresses ready to go -- and soon the "camping indoors" at Nana's will begin. But, there is just no way to complain or wish for the "good ole' days"!!! Our trip to Mexico last month, certainly put an exclamation point on that! Witnessing the numbers of people there that have such a meager existence -- they live in one room (if you could even call it a room), have no running water, and no adequate roof or walls in what they call "home". Having that "visual" certainly causes me to capitalize THANKSGIVING! We are blessed.

And, BLESSED, is the operative word -- not, "lucky" or "fortunate" or "deserved" or "privileged". We ARE BLESSED! And we are blessed -- to be a BLESSING!. We can't just simply say "THANK YOU", and go on our way. We MUST do something about those blessings. In fact, we're held accountable for them. Luke 12:48 says ".......when someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required." There is responsibility that comes with blessings. Actually, it becomes a cycle of blessings, because we see in Proverbs 11:25, "The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped." It's that "give and it shall be given", law of reciprocity....that just keeps on giving.

So, this Thanksgiving week, while we're in an attitude of gratitude, let's remember that we are blessed to bless; gifted to give; forgiven to forgive; loved to love.