I Have Been Changed for Good

Hey friends!
Last night when I was enjoying Menchies with two of my besties, I got a text reminding me that I had volunteered to help out at the Brakebill nursing home today during church.  Every time I sign up to help out with something during the church hour, I have to fight feelings of selfishness.  I love helping other people.  But I also love being poured into and encouraged every Sunday morning by Pastor Dan.  So when I got that text last night, I felt myself thinking, "Well stink!  There goes me receiving my weekly 'fill up'!"  But was I ever wrong.


I had prayed for it earlier, and as soon as I got in the car and headed over to Brakebill, the Lord gave me a complete change of heart.  I started looking forward to being able to serve the residents at Brakebill and bless them by wheeling them to and from the service.  That feeling continued to grow throughout my time there.  The residents at Brakebill were so precious I can't began to describe them.  My heart warmed at seeing these elderly men and women, who could not even walk, waiting patiently in their wheelchairs so they could be taken down the hall to hear about Jesus.  They were so grateful for that chance and thanked us profusely for our small part in making that possible.  


Before the message, the Pastor led us in singing a few hymns; the off-key singing was some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard because it came from pure hearts that wanted only to glorify their Savior. As I looked around the room, I wanted to weep at the love I felt for them.  Each precious, withered face - many with not many years left - had done the inconvenient because they wanted to praise Jesus on His day.  At the end of the service, we took them back to either their rooms or the dining hall.  It honestly broke my heart to tell them goodbye; it is amazing how quickly you can grow to care for people.  I squeezed their hands and looked into their eyes, so full of love and gratitude for someone they didn't know, someone who only hours before had wanted to put her own selfish desires above them.  


Before we left, Pastor Bob hugged me and Allison and prayed a prayer of blessing over us.  I was so moved. He thanked us for making a difference in the lives of the Brakebill residents...but I was the changed one.  During the hour and a half while we were there, I was reminded of how true the words "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35) are.  By me pouring myself out to the people at Brakebill today in an incredibly small way, I was in turn poured into abundantly above anything I could imagine.  


If God is calling you to serve in some area, don't hesitate to follow His command!  At first, you might be like me and have a feeling of dread over all that you are being asked to "give up".  It might be as trivial as my traditional Sunday morning worship service, or something as colossal as  a lifelong dream.  But He has only your best interest at heart. By asking you to bless others, He wants to bless you in ways larger than you ever imagined possible!  So give in to Jesus and let Him change you for the better.


Until Wednesday!
Amber Noel