Make a Wave

It happened last night. Our family had just finished our Pepper-jack Cheesy Nachos, and the kids were watching a show in the next room...a Disney channel show. I heard a catchy song playing and just as it was coming to the last chorus, I heard this phrase:

Just a pebble in the water, can set the sea in motion....

It stopped and said to Ashley, "I love those words!" She went on to tell me who was singing (Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas), and more about the song. The song was written in response to the clean-up efforts on the gulf coast, and the video shows Disney kids working to clean up the beach, while animals jump in and out of the surf.

I love that kids are being encouraged to make a difference, in their world...on any level.

MAKE A WAVE

They say the beat of a butterflies wings,

Can set off a storm a world away

What if they're right and the smallest of things

Can power the strongest hurricane?

What if it all begins inside?

We hold the key that turns the tide

[Chorus:]

Just a pebble in the water

Can set the sea in motion

A simple act of kindness

Can stir the widest ocean

If we show a little love

Heaven knows what we could change

So throw a pebble in the water

And make a wave, make a wave

Make a wave, make a wave

The single joys that you take and send

And reach out your hand to someone in need

Don't fool yourself and say you can't

You never know what can grow from just one seed

So come with me and seize the day

This world may never be the same

How often have I felt like my little contribution to this world, wasn't enough to matter? Often in God's Word, we are encouraged to give what we have, and let God take our gifts, to multiply and distribute as He wisely chooses. But I frequently struggle with faith here.

Last week, when we met Melissa, the homeless, pregnant girl in Oregon, I left her feeling like what we did, probably wasn't going to change anything for her. I prayed that it would, but felt like it was just a drop in the bucket.

I doubt I am alone--when I have a chance to be part of changing something big, we tend to think that we don't have enough to make a difference.

But it really is! Especially if it is done from a heart of kindness, love, joy...

As Christians, we have the fruit of the Spirit in us, empowering us to make a difference in our world...one pebble or person at a time.

It might be that kind word; that $5.00 bill. It might be that compassionate touch, or a warm friendly smile. It might be that 2 hours that we spend helping out with a community project, or the bag of clothes that we donate to The Closet.

It might just be that big hug we give our child, or the time we take to play their game. Maybe it's spending some time in the world of our teenagers, and making sure they feel like they matter to us. What about our spouses...there are so many ways we could show mercy and love.

Then there is the thought that while what we do may not necessarily change the world, it can change the world for that person.

When the old man began picking up starfish, one at a time, and throwing them back into the water, a passerby said, "Sir, you will never be able to save all the hundreds of starfish on this beach. Why bother?" He replied as he continued to gently toss one back, "But I can help this one, and this one, and this one......"

God knows our hearts. He sees our efforts-our contributions, and He promises to bless them.

I am challenged in my heart today. Maybe it's a renewal of a passion. To leave each person's life better for my having been in it...one pebble at a time. No telling what that little stone could stir up!

Salsa Day

Today was Salsa Day here at our house. I used a new recipe that seemed to make the process much less complicated, and we love the results!! Yes, we have already tasted the fruit of our labors tonight!
I don't know why I felt the need to make this into a photo opportunity, but I love taking pictures of veggies...all the colors make me smile! Plus, it made this chore seem more....entertaining!
The recipe I used, calls for roasting the tomatoes before making them into salsa. Because I had such an abundance of Roma, Big Bertha's, and Cherry Tomatoes, I decided to use them all.

My most favorite herb...Cilantro!

These will all take a little whirl around the blender!

Simmer

This is the handy little thing that I just got, so that I don't burn my fingers, while taking the HOT jars out of the canner!

There is always a big mess!

In jars and sealed tightly!

Thank you, God, for my garden this year. It has been a gift to us! Now, tomorrow, I will freeze all the Zucchini. After that...it's apple time!

Melissa

We were on our way home from Women of Faith in Portland, Oregon, when it all happened...a moment that would change four hearts forever.

We had pulled over to get gas and use the ladies room, in The Dalles. We split back up into the two separate vehicles (I was driving my friend's Denali) and once again made our way back toward Interstate 84. As we came around a corner, there at the intersection of Cherry Heights Rd. and West 2nd Street, stood a young girl with a sign that read,

"Pregnant and hungry. Even 1.00 would help."

I see signs and "homeless" people like this all the time. I know that in our society, there are fakes and posers out there. I know that most of these people take any money they are given and buy alcohol or drugs with it. I know all of that....but this one was different for me. It made me feel like someone had stabbed me in the abdomen, and I felt physically sick.
Maybe it's because the sign said, "Pregnant and hungry"? Maybe because my job involves being with pregnant women, a lot? Maybe because none of my pregnant clients are ever hungry...well, for very long?

Whatever it was, I knew I had to stop...but I didn't. I had 3 other friends in the car with me, and no one was saying anything. As I followed the rest of our group in the other vehicle, we made a wrong turn and ended up going through the heart of The Dalles. I kept thinking, "Sheila, go back!" But I kept going.

As the entrance to the Interstate came into view, God spoke, "Sheila, go back!" So, I said to my very quiet passengers, "I can't let this one go. I have to go back to where that pregnant girl is!" They all replied, "Yes, we have to!!" I called the other group and told them our intentions, and made a U-turn in the road.

As we backtracked our mistaken route, my friends, without hesitation began digging into their purses for cash, and gathering any good food we had with us...Oranges, granola bars, Sun-chips, water....even a napkin.

As we made our way back to that intersection, I heard whispers of prayer in the seats behind me.

We parked up the road a little way, and then the four of us, clean and abundantly blessed women, walked toward this young girl, who was announcing with her sign, that she had a baby inside, and she was hungry.

As we walked up, she gave us a look of despair. I said to her that we had some things we wanted to give her, and individually began to hand her money. She choked up, and let her face fall. Then one of my friends said as she handed the bag of food to her, "We want to tell you that Jesus loves you." She shook her head in silence. I asked her if she knew Jesus, and she shook her head yes, again.

We began to talk to her and asking if she was alone in this world, to which she replied, that she wasn't. She said, "My husband comes around once in awhile, but I never know when he will be back."

She told us that she was a month and a half along. That is 6 weeks. Her baby already has a heartbeat, arms, legs, and nostrils. Her baby's birth should come sometime around next June.

I asked her if she would be willing to share her first name with us, so that we could pray for her, and she said, "Melissa".

Having asked her if I could pray with her right there, I laid my hand on her back, and prayed for God to come very near Melissa, and wrap His arms around her. I asked for protection and peace over her. I asked for God to bring people into her life, that could guide her and help her. I thanked God for letting us see Melissa. I asked Him to show her how much He loves her.

She thanked us, and we hugged her goodbye.

We walked silently back to our car, and drove towards I-84.

This wasn't about what will be done or bought with the money. This isn't about if she was faking it. This isn't about what society or Christians are doing right or wrong.

What this is about...

GOD! And I know that He told me to go back. I know that He told all four of us, that we needed to help. I know that we gave from our hearts. I know that those were the emptiest eyes I've ever seen--completely void of all hope. I know that her body is used and abused. And, I am confident that she has a baby inside.

I haven't been able to forget those eyes. I saw them in my sleep last night, and I did what I can do. I asked God to stay very close to her. I asked Him to be her Shepherd and come to her rescue.

And, I named her baby, "Dot"....another story.