Be Refreshed January 24, 2008

BE REFRESHED

Proverbs 11:24-31

Verse 24 “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.”

We all know someone who is always vibrant, willing to “do” whatever comes along. I think of a mother with young children, and yet has time to make a meal for the elderly who cannot. What about the one who has little income but is willing to use the little gas in her car to take someone else to the doctor?  Always reaching out to others, and finding themselves blessed beyond imagination.

Vs 25 “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”

I picture someone holding out a cup of cold water to a weary traveler. This is something we do often in Haiti, travelers spend hours in a hot vehicle or on foot. 

Have you ever met a person who is always thinking of their own problems? Always thinking of their own pain? Always making sure everyone knows how bad life is treating them? Being around people as such, is tiring. It drains energy right out of our very being. But more than that, don’t you find that a person is miserable, unhappy and wants all the attention?

Well, there is an answer to this situation, but it also takes energy. It means blessing someone else so that you may be blessed. I guarantee if you are having pain, and you bless someone else you will soon not feel your own pain so greatly. This is what the verse is talking about…go refresh someone else, get you mind off your own problems and suffering, and you will find your problems are diminishing.

But of course, if you enjoy hearing about your own problems, it will mean “laying down” self and allowing someone else’s problems to enter into your heart and getting attention off of yourself. Now that may be a different way to live!! It means allowing other people into your selfish life.

There is a promise with the verse…YOU will be refreshed!! Just try this, you may really like it!! It actually is a blessing not to always have to think of yourself first!! The refreshing feeling is so wonderful!!

Vs 31 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise”

For many years, this verse was confusing to me because I couldn’t see what the first part of the verse had to do with winning souls. In Psalms 1:3, the godly are also called a “tree planted by the streams of water”. 

I don’t think God is calling us “wood”, but fresh leaves. He is talking of spreading out, reaching out to others. The branches of a tree reach out, gives shade, puts oxygen back into the air. They give a home to birds and wild life. The Bible says the trees clap their hands in praise to God. I don’t think trees complain because they always hold their branches out, or because they “just stand there” all day long and for years and years. Trees are alive. Is a dead tree beautiful? No more beauty in a dead tree, it is ugly!!

And so for us, we need to reach out to others. We need to tell others of Jesus. This brings fruit. Once again, forgetting about ourselves, and allowing fruit to be in our lives. We don’t produce fruit by only serving ourselves or thinking of self. 

May you be challenged to reach out, be refreshed and produce fruit!!

By His Grace

Barb

PS. Just a note to those of you who have enjoyed Rachel’s writings, she is taking a break as this semester of school is a full load, working and “being a wife”. So “mom” is stepping in for a bit and hopefully you will soon hear from Rachel again. 

What a child does with money January 22, 2008

The following story is so touching, and makes one think how many state-side children would make the same choice. But we also realize that the economic condition is much different than in Haiti, and therefore, the choice would be different.A lady from another village, came to visit in the village of Mayette. She met the 9 year old deaf girl, hugged her, and was much impressed with her. Before leaving, she gave the girl the equivalent of $60 US. This is a lot of money for someone to give to another haitian, and it was someone this lady had never met or seen. But, of course, as always, someone else saw the transaction and immediately grabbed the money from the girl and took off. But the boy was immediately caught in his tracks,as someone saw him and ran after him. She retrieved the money and took the boy to his parents to tell them what he had done.That isn’t the touching part of the story. When the little girl got the money back, she put it in a plastic bag, went to her house, and dug a hole in the ground, put it in the ground, covered it up and laid a rock on top of it. She didn’t tell her father. She was afraid he would take the money and buy food with it.She did tell someone what she did. She was saving the money to give to her older sister (19 years old) when she returns to the village. She wanted her sister to buy paint and cement for the floor for their new hut that is being built. She didn’t want to sleep on a dirt floor again. She wants the walls painted. But the pastor encouraged her to talk to her dad, and tell her what she wants to do with it. He promised he would give it to her sister. Why is this such a touching story? This little girl is only 9 years old, she has no toys, her clothes are rags and her sandals are not in good shape. Instead of thinking of something for herself, she thought of what would be good for the family!!Was the lady an “angel unaware” ? I have a feeling God will never tell. A wonderful God we serve!!