Do you wonder what your ministry is supposed to be? Do you wish you had a ministry?
Ministry is a weird thing. I accidentally stepped into ministry when blogging was becoming a thing on the internet. Who knew?
I found ministry because God said to write about what He was teaching me. I've been doing that for a looooong time now. I started in ministry without really thinking that is WAS ministry. And sometimes that's the best way to start. Do something that you like and serve others, thereby, serving God.
Often religion defines what our ministry should look like. It's always serving the church. Teach VBS. Be a member of the parking crew or clean the church with the clean-up committee. But sustained ministry is often truly born from your creativity and through the heart of God.
For years, I mean years, since my very first public speaking event, I have received ministry from one individual. I met this young woman at a small group meeting of unequally yoked spouses who gathered at a church that was an hour away from my home.
The ladies welcomed me into their group. They were moms and wives that were pretty much like me. I'm still friends with several of them today. However, there was this young woman who didn't exactly fit the group profile. She was younger than the rest, tatted out on both arms and legs, multiple lip rings protruded from both her lips. As our eyes met, I said, "You are beautiful."
I'm telling you that came straight out of the mouth of God. It was obvious that she's already lived a lot of life and life had been rough. But something was born that day. And maybe because I truly saw her and she was beautiful to me.
For years now, she has faithfully mailed cards to my home. Thanksgiving, an orange card and blessings. Christmas cards, birthdays, there is a card that arrives. She even made sure to obtain my new addressed when I moved several times in the last few years.
Who does this?
I only mail one card a year in response, at Christmas time.
She has never asked me for anything. Nor my lack of response at times has never deterred her faithfulness to sit down and hand-write a card, address the envelope, stamp and post it.
Recently a birthday card arrived, and it came with a hug. A pocket hug to place in my purse to remind me that I am amazing, strong and brave.
For a long while now, I take a photo of the card and text a thank you to her phone.
But again, who does this?
This is meaningful ministry. This is love. This is the beauty of one woman who faithfully mails cards and blesses me. I often wonder if she does this for others. Perhaps.
The photo in this post is a small collection of the cards over the years. As far back in my text records to 2019 there are thank you texts to Merdith for cards she mailed to me.
SUMite, you have a ministry. It's everyday love that you pour out on your kids, your spouse, your church peeps. Ministry out of your heart is the kind of ministry that God loves. Don't try to do what someone else is doing.
You do you, with God, and it's a brilliant blessing for you AND for others.
Share with me some of your ministry. There's not a wrong or right in ministry. I can't wait to read about your giving to God and people.
I love you. I wish I could mail all of you a card.
PS. I've saved every card. If you have ever written to me, I have saved it. Thank you. Lynn
