Acts of Random Kindness aka ARK

Yesterday, I joined with about 60 other volunteers from my church, to donate the fixin’s and make over 2,400 sandwiches for the homeless in downtown Dallas. The sandwiches, carrots and raisins were then taken to the “The Soup Mobile” which is a mobile soup kitchen that feeds and shelters the homeless in Dallas. Their Mission Statement are the three simple words of Christ to Peter, “Feed my sheep.” It felt so good to participate in a simple act of kindness to feed Christ's precious sheep.

Jesus said, in Matthew 5:25, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in."

I remember the story of the starfish -- we can't help them all, but we can certainly make a difference one by one. That's what God calls us to do – every day -- at home and in places where we can help "save" a life!

After that time well spent, I stopped by Taco Bell for a quick drive-through lunch, placed my order and went to pay my $5.95 bill and the cashier said, “Your food was paid by the man in front of you. The lady in the car in front of him paid for his bill." I wasn’t about to be outdone – I paid for his bill. We were paying it forward. Acts of Random Kindness aka ARK – those times when we just can’t help ourselves, we want to see kindness spread like wild fire.

I love seeing the generosity of people who do random acts of kindness -- like that one who stops to help someone with a flat tire or who leaves a little "extra" tip for their waitress or simply rushes to open the door for others.

When we genuinely care about people, we find ourselves paying attention to what might be a blessing to them. As our love grows, the details of their lives become more and more important to us. It begins to really matter to us if they are sad or discouraged, struggling or in pain, needy or lonely. A sure sign that our concern for people is growing is when we find ourselves looking at people and thinking, “What would help her? What would help him? What does he need? What does she need?” We might even ask God, “How can I serve this person? How can I make his or her life easier?

A.R.K. -- Acts of Random Kindness -- Let's start a flood of kindness!! The flood that comes from a simple Act of Random Kindness -- caring and sharing from our bounty of blessings with others. What can we do to make someone's life better each day? Maybe it's just a hug or a smile.....randomly pay for someone's meal....pay a compliment, offer to baby sit for a weary single parent, take someone a meal, wash someone's car, send a card or make a phone call to encourage someone. There are so many little things we can do to help someone have a better day – that doesn’t cost anything.

Let's TRY A LITTLE KINDNESS today......perhaps our kindness might just be what someone needs to change their dark world to light and bright!

Ephesians 4:31-32 “Stop being mean, bad-tempered, and angry. Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike of others should have no place in your lives. Instead, be KIND to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another..."

A Summer That Changes Everything

I'll always have fond memories of the missions’ trips our family took because those trips changed everything about the way we viewed what we had, and what we may not have had. It's a culture shock to see how other people live who are not afforded the conveniences, the comfort and the many blessings we encounter daily, and take for granted.

So, to see my grandchildren, Payton Wallace and Alexia Wallace, packing and getting all geared up for their Guatemala trip with over 50 from their church, and to be so excited about the opportunity they'll have to impact people there, was so inspiring to this Nana. Payton amused me with all his “must haves” for the trip: first aid kit, Allen wrench, small “Barbie” fishing pole and tackle (he’s caught some whoppers with that little pole), Papa’s walking stick, lots of snacks and his waterproof “Outdoor Bible”! Alexia carried Papa’s snake skin coin purse. I loved that Papa is getting to go with them (in their hearts, as missions was his passion).

My hat’s off to the youth leaders that are taking these kids – no doubt, it’s a work-out to orchestrate the journey, making sure these kids’ own personal needs are met, and to keep up with each and every one. You know that they know the rewards will far exceed whatever work-out they’ll have. They are having a huge part of giving these kids – not a trip to Disney World for their own pleasure – but to a country where they can be a bright light to darkness, and seeing how these kids’ lives are changed as they are used by God to bring change to others.

Honestly, if you or your children haven’t had the opportunity to go on a missions trip, I urge you to consider taking one. It causes a new perspective of the blessings we have and helps us have compassion and sincere desire to bring change to someone else’s world. It's not about "What's in it for me?", but about "making a difference in other people's lives".

I'll never forget taking a busload of college students to Mexico where we were going to be "Jesus personified" to them. And, as it turned out, we left there being far more inspired and blessed to have encountered people who not only were radically transformed by God's love and light coming from us, but to see how little they had, yet were so joy-filled with the greatest gift they could ever receive -- coming to know Christ as their Savior. Their love for God was so much more than what they could get from Him -- it was about loving God with all their hearts -- because, basically, He was all they had. It certainly altered our consciences from "needing more" to "thankful for what I have".

Though we may not be going on a missions trip this summer, it doesn't mean that we, daily, don't have a mission to fulfill. In fact, when we leave our homes and when we walk through our doors, we are entering our mission field. Missions: an important assignment carried out for going out into the world and spreading faith and good news. Jesus said in Mark 16:15 "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." And I love St. Francis' words "Preach the Gospel at all times, and sometimes use words".

What is our mission field? I believe it is to everyone that we encounter on a daily basis. The clerk at the store, little children, the homebound, the family next door, the yard man, our own families & friends, our neighbors -- just anyone we have the opportunity to BE A BLESSING to and share the LIGHT of Christ with.

Perhaps, we need to develop a Mission Statement for our lives that keeps us focused on our calling to missions. In Genesis 12, where God makes His covenant with Abram. God tells Abram that He will make him into a great nation and that He will bless him. And then, what God says to him in the last part of verse 2 just may be our Mission Statement, too. "You will be a blessing."

That's it -- whatever we do, wherever we go, whoever we encounter -- our mission is "TO BE A BLESSING". Isn't that a great way to live? On purpose, outside of us 4, and no more -- TO BE A BLESSING in our communities or our school or office building or gym -- BE A BLESSING, and in doing that.....we will be IN OUR MISSION FIELD!!! If we do that....then this will be a summer that changes everything!

You Are Now Entering Your Mission Field

I heard the story of someone who had such a heartfelt desire to open a Food Pantry, but it seemed door after door slammed for his great and worthwhile idea. Then he heard someone say “Why are you waiting on all the right answers and all the right buildings and all the right team? Why don’t you start right now with volunteering at the Food Bank, or collecting food and items to take to one of the charities here. You’ll be planting seed for your dream.

Quite often, we have the plan all figured out and THEN, we invite God to come along and join in that plan. But, God is the Pilot NOT the Co-Pilot of our lives. I love this photo I posted here today. “If God is your CO-PILOT, then swap seats." From personal experience, I remember time after time that we put together the plan, made business cards, brochures, signs and got the offices. The problem was, we forgot to bring our CEO in on the grandiose ideas. Sometimes the “good” ideas aren’t the “God” ideas. We usurped our ideas instead of getting His plans and ideas. When He pilots the ship or airplane, we can be sure He will position us for the most success at the right time.

Payton Wallace and Alexia Wallace, my grandchildren, flew to Guatemala yesterday with 50 others to minister there for a week with their team. They’ve entered their mission field. Last night, our Life Group volunteered at James Mission – a beautiful ministry here in Tulsa for Foster and Adoptive families. We sorted and organized clothing items and placed them into their designated bins that will be apportioned to those families in need. We didn’t have the original vision for James Mission, but the Reyes did. And, God impressed upon our Life Group to be a support to them. We entered OUR mission field.

The good news is, as soon as we walk through the door of our opens, we are entering our mission fields. Missions: an important assignment carried out for going out into the world and spreading faith and good news. Jesus said in Mark 16:15 "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." I love St. Francis' words "Preach the Gospel at all times, and sometimes use words".

What is our mission field? I believe it is to everyone that we encounter on a daily basis. The clerk at the store, little children, the homebound, the family next door, the yard man, our own families & friends, our neighbors -- just anyone we have the opportunity to BE A BLESSING to and share the LIGHT of Christ with.

Perhaps, we need to develop a Mission Statement for our lives that keeps us focused on our calling to missions. In Genesis 12, God made His covenant with Abram. He told Abram that He will make him into a great nation and that He will bless him. And then, what God says to him in the last part of verse 2 just may be our Mission Statement, too. "You will be a blessing."

That's it -- whatever we do, wherever we go, whoever we encounter, our mission is "TO BE A BLESSING". Isn't that a great way to live? On purpose, outside of us 4, and no more -- TO BE A BLESSING here in Tulsa, Oklahoma, there where you are -- in your school or office building or community club or PTA or YMCA -- BE A BLESSING, and in doing that.....we will be IN OUR MISSION FIELD!!!

Being Difference Makers

On the 2nd day of our missions’ trip, we were all about the business of reaching our hearts and hands out to the children. "Be A Miracle" - se un milagro - was our goal. On this day, we would meet up with the reality of what “behind the scenes” is all about. And, this day was about what we really wanted this trip to be about – helping, even in any way we could -- someway - somehow - to be difference makers.

We arrived at Perdon y Amistad Church and immediately received gifts from the children. Really? I knew it would be like this. We came to be a blessing, and before we could give, we received. The children had painted on paper bags that contained t-shirts for each of us.

At the church, we met the most beautiful servants of God who pour their lives, voluntarily, into the precious children. They sincerely know, and put to action – the importance of planting into the future generation – and making an indelible imprint on these young lives.
It was quite the adventure for our little missions’ team to be on a food preparation assembly line of breaking open the bread, spreading mayo in it, then adding a slice of cheese and meat, and all neatly bundled in a plastic bag with napkin for over 500 children. I loved the pride they had in the packaging.

We headed out with the team over rocky, unpaved roads – many of which were washed out because of the torrential rains that come, which compounds the difficulty in getting the meals delivered. But, what we did in just one day, is done routinely, and daily, by this beautiful team of volunteers as they cater food & beverage, visiting two primary schools and a preschool in the morning and afternoon (two shifts). For over 15 years, they have focused on providing a meal and drink for every child. The main goal of this amazing program, “Breakfast for Children” is to combat malnutrition and is dedicated to feeding children in the most impoverished areas.

We loved being able to serve -- it was a team effort, and we got the big job done – but our contribution was mere, compared to what these volunteers do on a daily basis. Though it seemed like a small token of support, we understood St. Francis’ message….loud and clear – “Preach the gospel at all times…..and sometimes use words.”