stewardship::beyond money

every 2nd thursday of the month, i (along w/ one or two other folks) prepare a full meal for about 20-30 teen parents (pregnant, teen parents, or those who were teens when their child was born) and their families as part of a community drop-in program offered through the city. then i take the food and my whole family to the drop-in location and we share the wonderful food with some very wonderful people.

when i was first approached about this opportunity, i was intrigued but at the same time a little intimidated. the idea of preparing a full meal for 15 people every month seemed daunting. it seemed like a huge committment, that i didn't think i could faithfully follow through on. what if i don't have time? what if i don't want to give my time? what if we need the money used to make all that food? it's amazing how many negative thoughts and excuses i started thinking up in my head...to find a rational reason for turning down the opportunity.

but i am so thankful that i didn't.

as a family, we find great enjoyment in opening our homes and sharing it with others. we love throwing parties (though we don't do that often enough still), we love having people over for dinner, we love when visitors come and stay with us, and we enjoy being social (most of the time :o) ). participating in the teen parents program would merely be an extension of something we already enjoy doing and a great opportunity for us to nurture and encourage parents who may have began their journey into parenthood in a not so ideal situation.

by God's grace, every month we follow through on our committment. there is no drudgery involved in preparing the meal or even going to the event, because i've found that doing this has brought us tremendous joy. joy in seeing others being helped. joy in knowing that we can provide our food, our time, and our encouragement to others that may need it.

despite our smaller income, we have all that we need. God not only entrusted us with his money, but he also entrusted us with certain gifts that we can share with others. stewardship goes beyond money. how can we be better stewards with our time, our home, and all our possessions that he has so graciously entrusted us with? where are our priorities? do we give not only our money, but also our time sacrificially? i admit, it's easier said than done. but when God blesses us with things, extra time, or money, it's not to be hoarded or stored up for yourself. keep what you need, then use the rest to bless others.

in this we discover just how much God loves us.

in this we discover just how hard it was to make the ultimate sacrifice.

and in this we discover peace.

every time i come home the 2nd thursday of the month, i am left feeling content. seeing my children play and interact with the other kids, watching my husband encourage and support the other young men there, exchanging laughs with some of the young moms who are sometimes struggling to figure out where they "fit"...

...i am content. i am thankful. i am joyful.