Small Kindnesses Go Around The World by Bob Jones

I long to accomplish a great and noble task,

but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks,

as if they were great and noble. Mother Teresa

 

Tinned fruit. Toothpaste. Cooking oil. A can of soup and a few other items in a plastic bag. That doesn’t add up to much but when invaders have forced you from your home with nothing except the clothes on your back, it feels like hope. Even the plastic bag won’t go to waste.

I’ve seen them gather in Liviv, Dnipro, Kriviyi Rih, and Kupiansk, Ukraine. Moms with their littles. Their homes were destroyed, some are war widows, some have husbands fighting on the frontlines. They are grateful for the goodness of fellow Ukrainians.

A little kindness goes a long, long way.

And much of the kindness is supplied by generous Canadians and distributed by Ukrainian Christians. The funds to purchase the non-perishable items in the bags come from Canadians. Most of the humanitarian support near the frontlines is delivered by evangelical believers. I’ve travelled with pastors and volunteers to distribute bread and clothing to seniors within earshot of artillery fire. We pray with them, tell them that they are not forgotten, that God cares and invite them to trust Jesus as Saviour.

My pastor friends are not being melodramatic when they say that they live one day at a time. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. I have stayed in hotels and preached in meeting centres that no longer exist because they have been rocketed by the Russians.

This summer, I will be returning to eastern Ukraine with my wife for seven weeks, helping pastors and churches. People ask, “Is it safe?” Of course not, but it’s good. It’s the least we could do to offer kindness to people who are war weary after three plus years of devastation and terror. One project is ensuring over 2,000 children will have a week-long summer camp experience, filled with nutritious food, amazing crafts, inspiring Bible stories and joy. What a thrill to help them treasure every moment of every day and feel the love of Jesus.

 

Small things done with great love.

That’s how the world is changed.

 

Thank you for reading. I invite you to take a moment and pray for Ukraine.

Thank you.

Follow Bob at REVwords.com

Press On by Susan Barclay

Image from Pixabay

January 2014 seems like a long time ago, but as I recall, I started the year out writing strong. Usually I break for the summer because kids are out of school and everyone is out of routine, so when fall arrived, I expected I'd get back to work. When things were still chaotic in September, I held out hope for October, but that didn't happen either. My mother had problems with her house and came to stay with us while they were resolved (they still aren't, by the way). I never get much writing done when she visits. She sees me on the computer and thinks I am wasting my time. Her priority is for me to clean my house, to go to work, and spend time with her. Not that I don't enjoy her company, but putting my writing on hold is frustrating, especially when it becomes months.

There were other stressors that got in the way of writing last year, but that was the big one. I try not to dwell on the past except as a learning experience, since there's nothing I can do to change what’s done. And there are seasons in one's life when your priorities have to shift, at least for a time. I've been reading the earlier posts from this month and see I'm not the only one living this.  

At such times Philippians 3:13-14 encourages me: 

No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,  I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us (Apostle Paul, The Living Bible)

 I am still not all I should be, but I am putting the past behind me and looking forward to what lies ahead. My mom is visiting her sister now and I am able to get more writing done. I am making use of the time I have until she returns. Hopefully, she'll be back in her own home by the summer. She would like that too.  

I've been reading books by Christine Caine in the last little while, and I found this quote that references past and future very instructive. Perhaps you will too: 

When it comes to our dreams our thinking is extremely powerful. Just like the control panel of an aircraft determines its flight path, our thoughts will either take us toward our destiny or away from it, propelling us into our future or anchoring us to our past.

 This is another reason to learn from the past, but not to dwell there. I want to move toward my destiny, not away from it. I want my writing to move ahead. God gave me the talent and I've developed the skill. It seems wrong not to use it. 

I want to leave you this powerful statement from Mother Teresa: 

Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.

 _________

For more of my writing, please visit me at www.susan-barclay.ca