Using Our Gifts in a Hurting World

I stumbled down the stairs to the smell of freshly brewed coffee. My husband had just left for work, and the kids were still in bed. I really couldn’t have asked for a better start to my day…peace and quiet, alone time with God, and of course the obvious – the freshly brewed coffee. I poured my coffee and snuggled up under a soft blanket. 

But before I opened my bible, I began to pray. Something was on my heart. Even the euphoric smell of the coffee couldn’t cover the nagging feeling inside. As I prayed over the lives of so many I know right now who are hurting, my heart felt like it was breaking into a million tiny pieces. And then it hit me. God was answering one of my prayers. 

How many times have I pleaded, “Break my heart for what breaks yours”?  The love that I have for each of these friends takes me by surprise at times. But this day was different. Before I had even opened my bible, I heard loud and clear from God. He was telling me it was ok to love and love deeply. But don’t stop there. 

As a mom, it’s so easy to focus on our kids and let the needs of others take a back seat. 

We get overwhelmed with the daily grind of momming. Lack of sleep, quarreling kids, and a messy house can often distract us from what God is placing right before our eyes. It’s ok to hurt for those friends. But there’s more. 

God gently reminds us to use our gifts to walk with these friends through the fires. What gifts do we have to help a hurting friend? That answer is different for each of us. For some of us, it’s cooking a meal. And for others, it’s hosting some extra kids for the day to give our hurting friends a little space to breathe. And for you, it may look even different than any of those things. And that, my friends, is what makes each of us so special. 

I love that God knows our needs so individually and specifically. And He calls us each to search our souls to find our own gifts to be a part of His perfect plan. 

We can’t take away the pain that our loved ones are experiencing. But we can let God use us to soften their falls. Don’t miss out on the gifts God has given you to help others. And let’s not allow the blessing of motherhood distract us from loving deeply, even when it hurts. 

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

We are called to live in community.  So be brave, find your gifts, and love fiercely.  And God will do the rest. 

Blessings,

Nikki

PS – I recently volunteered to clean a friend’s house for her.  She gratefully accepted.  And the joy it brought me seeing this burden taken off her shoulders was beyond measure.  Who knew cleaning could bring joy?!  And, in case you need some cleaning supplies, check out this Young Living Thieves Household Cleaner.  It’s the only thing I use now!  Seriously, amazing.