Kindness

UNPLANNED

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Jennifer K. Lewis

“It Shall Come to Pass That MY Burden Will Be Taken Off My Shoulders and The Yoke Will Be Destroyed Because of My Anointing Growth.”   Isaiah 10:27

Several years ago, I found myself becoming another statistic.  The ‘surreal world’ I  beckoned and thought I was building, came crashing down and faded into the hazy, black abyss forming a lengthy void in my life.

Fortunately, I had taken the initiative to speak with my Pastor and gotten an invaluable referral to a non-denominational group for people who found themselves in those beginning f-u-n days of separation or the recently divorced.

For sure, this non-denominational referral was part of God’s plan as he was positioning the ‘broken-parts’ to be used as stepping-stones in his anointed, jewel-lined path he created just for me!  Actually, I was lucky, huh!!

Then, a close sister-in-Christ, told me about another non-denominational home for destitute, mistreated ladies.  How could I know God was assembling another building block for me?  This home was another answer to petition providing a strong foundation for me to keep growing in my new life of freedom.

There were about ten ladies attending this ‘home’.  Our six-hour daily schedule included a variety of classes to help us enrich, and empower ourselves.  One of the classes required reading and studying the book, The Purpose Driven Life.  I learned a Lot about myself in this tome and I had developed a thirsty heart to share that love and, hopefully, embolden and inspire another.

I had maintained a life of little socialization stemming from shame and unease in the public mainstream.  So, unfortunately, I had grown semi-comfortable just remaining in my uneasy shell.

“Many People Will Praise God Because You Obey The Good News … And Because You Freely Share With Them And With All Others.”          II Cor 9:12

Unplanned events would open my eyes and give me an opportunity to encourage another dejected, hurting soul to realize he Does have a ‘purpose’ in this life.

It was a very c-o-l-d night in January.  Fluffy great white flakes now blanketed our city, quieting everything to a whispered lullaby.   But the piercing cold didn’t stop  robust football fanatics from getting-out to enjoy the Super-Bowl.

My relentless friends insisted on going somewhere to watch this event on a big-screen T.V.   We chose a local pub as we knew of it’s family-friendly atmosphere.

The place was packed!  The only vacant chair was beside some burly-looking guy.  So, I zigzagged through the crowd to the seat.  I ordered a Sprite and some chips with salsa.   (that man had taken a brief ‘break’ to the Gents room).

As soon as he got back, he introduced himself as, Michel B.     Michael sighed with a dejected, nervous laugh.  Almost instantly, I could feel his downcast persona.  (there had been a time when I mirrored his vibe.)

Michael just started talking.  (I must have displayed one of those faces that says:  open-up to me ~ you’re ‘safe’ here).

Throughout our conversation, it was easy to surmise that Michael was a highly intelligent man.  He was questioning just ‘why’ he is here and even his worth!  Anyway, after a couple of hours of sharing our common points of view, and general values, I tried to assure Michael that he Does have a Purpose in this life!

The game was over … the Giants had won!  But, my attention had not been on the game ~ as this moment had taken precedence.

A couple of days passed, and I kept thinking about Michael’s questioning.  I decided to share the wisdom in Purpose Driven Life by giving him a copy.  Several days later, Michael called my non-denominational ‘home’ and let me know how much he had appreciated that I had taken an “unplanned” interest in his life.

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Growing In Christ, Jen

 

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Jennifer Kay Lewis

 

 

 

 

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WILLING VESSSEL

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Jennifer K. Lewis

 

“All Things Come Together For Your Good To Achieve My Purpose.”  Jeremiah 28:40

At first, when I moved into my condo, I just didn’t feel things were the most ideal in the world.  Devotion to my eighteen-year marriage had just been shredded and ripped-apart, my business had been forfeited to another, my ability to continue my passionate foster parenting with precious children had been relinquished.  I even lost Heidi, my beloved doggie.

However, as God had planned the precise timing of things.   My replica of the prayer of Jabez, (I Chronicles 4:10) was quietly answered as God had already enlarged my territory.

Many future days were devoted establishing and nurturing a close friendship with an older lady, Doris, in this building.   Doris is 90.  She’s shared with me how she had learned to drive in a model “A.”   We laughed as she recalled how hard it was to steer as there wasn’t any power-steering in those days.  She said, “as she listened to her instructor, Dad, the car bumped along and jostled them about as they had to teach her to drive in cornfield away from any traffic.”

Her teaching experiences were gained in a one-room schoolhouse.  Boy,  she has had some wonderful, funny, days.  She told of one youngster who liked to ‘bully’ the other students.  Her wisdom taught her to simply ‘ignore’ the boy and she said, “he straightened right up!”

A few days ago, Doris came to see me.  While we were visiting, she took note of some things in my curio cabinet.  She spotted this Red Apple I have saved as a memento from my college days.  (ironically, Doris is also a former schoolteacher.)  (usually, the student is giving an apple to the teacher.)  But, in my case, it was being manifested as another ‘backwards’ event my ‘lefty’ world. 

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My Red Apple has a hand-written message from one of my professors.   Professor Williams came to know me well because my schedule landed me in several of his classes.  (because of my diligence in prior achievements, he most likely had greater expectations of me.)   His message on the apple says: “ I’m so glad you came back to graduate 1st in your Marketing class!”  “You have made this an exciting and challenging year for your fellow students as well as for the faculty.”  “ Most of all, I want to say ‘thanks’ for the Superior Work!”  (I was in my early thirties when I graduated college.)

So why on earth did I share this with you?  (well, since you asked🙂  It’s never too late to accomplish a dream or your goals.  The ONLY requirement is that you BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!  NEVER QUIT!   If you give-up, or stop – who wins?   It sure isn’t going to be you!  On the flip-side, when you persevere, YOU can do anything.

POINT:  God can take ANY situation and turn it around for HIS Glory!  Your part is to be his ‘Willing Vessel.’  TRUST in him and know he has specific plans for you.  Even when you are in the muddy muck and mire and you can’t see a darn thing … HE CAN!

Multitudes can be impacted through your life IF you ‘choose’ to follow Him forever.

“Follow Me and I Will Make You Fishers of Men.”      Matthew 4:19

You CAN make a difference.

GO FISHING!!!

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Growing In  Christ,
Jen

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“THE ELDERLY GENTLEMAN”

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by Jennifer Kay Lewis

7-4-2016 ~ The Elderly Gentleman

Several months ago, I was most blessed and fortunate to secure a volunteer position with a large local hospital.

Recently, I was enjoying regular daily events as duties were fairly ‘routine’, that is for most of the day.  Then, an elderly man came up to our station.

In a few short-minutes, my ‘routine duties’ were unpredictably changed; and, little did I know just how welcome the change was to become.  A tall, thin, elderly gentleman seemed barely able to walk over to our work area.  He asked, “can anyone help me to my car?

“I think maybe I need a wheel-chair!”

I quickly volunteered to help the older gentleman, as waves of compassion quickly flooded my tender heart.  (it was plainly obvious he needed me; and as it ended, I needed him too!)

He said, “I think I can make it to that chair over there. (I wondered ~ in his dignified manner, was he trying to maintain his ‘pride’?)

I helped him get safely seated and off we strolled to the parking garage.  He informed me, “it’s a quite a piece down there little lady … are you sure you want to do this?”  I assured him, “it’s no trouble and that he shouldn’t think twice about my ‘choice’ to help him as I was most Happy to assist.”

We had gone about half of the distance through the long, concrete, parking garage, and he INSISTED he could probably “make it the rest of the way.”  (silently, to myself, I was thankful it was an inside, covered garage.)

Then, he exclaimed, “there it is ~ it’s that old white truck with the blue tailgate!”

For his safety, I maneuvered the wheelchair right up to his door so all he would need do was to stand and scoot himself into his truck.  He lifted himself up and got in his vehicle.

As I turned to quietly walk away, he said, “I KNOW this wasn’t in your job description … so I’m certain you didn’t need to do this; but, I just want to say, “GOD BLESS YOU LITTLE LADY!”

He had tears welling-up in his eyes as I left to go back to my station.  (me too)

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In purposely “offering” to do this assignment, I had visions of my own elderly Father, of eighty-seven.  I sure hope and pray someone would come to Daddy’s aid if and when he might also need the support and assistance.

Although it was “quite a piece” as he put it – our walk that day, was the best, longest walk I have ever enjoyed!

Growing In Christ,

Jennifer

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

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Jennifer Kay Lewis

 

The most important lesson Christ left for us to shadow and reflect is his ‘Perfect’ Love.  Love each other as Jesus commanded.  Do you want your little ‘corner’ of the  block to be at peace?  What can you do to improve relations with your family and friends?

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“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another”.  John 13:34-35 New King James Version 

 

Imagine a world where we actually knew our next-door neighbor.  What if we went-one further and actually helped our neighbor.  Wouldn’t it awesome if  everybody spoke to one-another in earnest love expressing compassion and care?

Doesn’t it seem all to surreal?  But what can you do, right?  Isn’t this what you are thinking?

Could you be a friend just like the kind friend you want to meet?


BE THE ANSWER

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Jennifer Kay Lewis

BE THE ANSWER

5-30-2016

 

Time is just t-o-o unpredictable! Things happen ~ and Life, as we SHOULD HAVE KNOWN IT can be snuffed-out in a second!! Should you nurture and hold tight to your grudges? Or, should you humble yourself and ask God to help you FORGIVE? It’s YOUR ‘CHOICE!!!’

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     Image by:  Christina Van den Bossche  ·

 My Prayer:
“Lord, help me!  Lead me in my Life so I can become more and more like you.”  “Let your Bright-light shine through me so I can be used as your vessel.”   “God teach me to truly submit myself and get on my knees in Obedience and devotion to your wise instruction(s) .”
Fill me up Lord!!”
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Growing In Christ,
Jen Lewis