Handprints on Your Heart

Today I was in church listening to Pastor Jerven talk about Neiamiah and the importance of Family. He talked about how family comes in many forms. Of course we have our birth family and the family we married into. We also have our community family and our church family. He also talked about our Christian family. He also talked about how being apart of our family we have to love and support each other. How we pray for one another, we are there for one another. He also talked about as Christians we are called up to act. To help out. One of my new friends, who I really am starting to admire, stood up and talked about her dad. She said her dad was from a small town where everyone knew each other. That he was the type of man that was always helpful, not just in the church but to everyone. She gave an example of one winter he shoveled snow off his neighbours roof in 40 below weather. Just a side note, he is 65 years old. And of course my friend, worried about her dad hurting himself, went to him and asked 'why?' 'why do YOU have to do it? why can't you let someone else help?' And his reply to her was ' Because I can.' It got me thinking about how people have helped me in the past. Who has touched my life. I envisioned my heart with little handprints all over it. my heart was covered. Dana and I have been so blessed with such amazing people in our lives. From bosses who were understanding to what we valued, to friends who have always been there for us, to family who always knows what to say or what to do, to complete stranger who quickly befriend us. Thinking back on it all, I feel those handprints on my heart. It also got me thinking about what I do to help. I use to love being involved as a kid. I was always volunteering for something. But since I have had kids I have slowed down and have not been that involved. In my old job that is why I enjoyed it so much. It was similar work to what I use to volunteer as, but I was being paid to be there. But helping out is act of unselfishness, and that sounds pretty selfish to me. Maybe not so selfish, I mean I was providing for my family, but it wasn't exactly what I had in mind. Lately, I have been having this feeling to really get involved. I thought it kind of funny the different mind set I have from some people. when I went to my doctor to talk to him about me possibly having post partum, I told him I was feeling alot better over the past few weeks and I think it is because I have been making an effort to get involved. I have pursuing groups in the church, I registered as a volunteer at YMCA, and at our local community centre. His response was that is great, but remember to take care of yourself. Which is great advice especially because I tend to put everyone else a head of myself (don't most moms). But on the same hand, being involved and 'helping' really fulfills me so in essence it serves my wellbeing. Our church is slowly starting to rebuild it's congregation and I really feel this is where God is calling me to work. The only thing is that I am not sure where to start. I know that God will lead me in the right direction, but please pray for me as I go out on my mission to serve. This post may not touch everyone, but I challenge you to think about the handprints on your heart. Really dwell on it and then think about how many handprints you have made. Just a thought.....

*** PSS: DELURKERS! Thanks for everyone who has delurked so far. I will keep the draw open until this Wednesday and do the draw first thing Thursday morning so if you want a chance to win, delurk before then :) ****