You Are Doing Ministry
In Blog, encouragement, Influence 29 commentsJan 29
I start today with a list, long with to-dos. But all I want to do is sit, curled in a corner with my furriest blanket and weep.
Because I am overwhelmed with my thoughts: of an email I got in the middle of the night from a young wife…the eyes of a girl named Candice I met Saturday… about how God, the Great Connector, dares to use any of us to make a difference, at all.
And I can say the word never and mean it when I talk about getting over God using me in a life, because really broken, imperfect me knows without Him it is so not possible. So when they come…
the kind words in email messages that say thank you, this is what it changed…
the you He sends to me at every event…(though you always look different) coming in close and whispering the same Jesus message…This is your call, keep going…
the blog readers…YOU…who somehow see past flesh to value honest words and then, God miraculously connects our hearts…
I will never get over any of it.
And I wish you knew…really, truly knew…what it feels like when someone says thank you and you really want to thank them and most of all, thank you, God because how strong is the power of reciprocal ministry?
Because this is the truth, friends, that every day people you would never know, like pastors, want to quit. And that Sunday they get up and speak and it is a masterpiece and changes your life? It might well be the day after they told God, I can’t do this anymore so please just use someone else.
And everyday, a writer wants to shut off the computer and never write, again, and an inspirer feels they have not a drop of it left to give.
But then you come along and say thank you and this is what it means and somehow God uses that to make the weak bones feel strong.
[Then, more people get to hear the message. And more lives get to change. And more ministry gets to happen. Yes, because of God through you.]
So when you think you are simply telling that other parent at the park with their child you struggled with that, too, know that what you are really doing is giving them the courage to keep parenting.
And when you smile at that person who no one has smiled at all day or pick up that paper the person beside you in line at the grocery store dropped so they don’t have to, not knowing they are the skeptic who does not believe there is a soul left in this world that is truly kind and now you are proving them wrong…
Or write a speaker in the middle of the night and tell her thank you because you feel hopeful for the first time in months after hearing her speak…
You are doing ministry.
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*From me to you: Blog friends…this is my offering of love to you. Thank you for being faithful to read. Thank you for not being scared off by my honest. Thank you believing in what we do here and wanting to chase God hard with me. Today, please know: I thank God for you.
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Amen and right on Lisa. We are all in ministry, all the time. We are walking ambassadors of Jesus Christ and He wants us to remember that. I know exactly how you feel. Recently someone came and made a documentary of the ministry I have been in for the last five years. We have been feeding and clothing and praying for the homeless and poor in our town in Florida.
What is so impressive to us is that God has used a bunch of broken, society rejects, ex-druggies and alcoholics who have and want no claim to fame except to proclaim Jesus Christ. Everything we do is under the radar. If you would like to watch it is on you tube headed ”authentic christian community: brooksville, fl” there is nothing that the Lord has done with us or used us for that He will not or cant use ANYONE for who is sold out for Him and WILLING. keep up the honest Lisa personally I love it.
Went and watched a piece of this, Joseph. Love it so much, and love that I have a brother in Christ serving God in another place. Keep going. You make a difference.
Lisa I am on fire sense hearing you I just want more and more and more i am starving for the truth I started reading whole and i want to get your bracelet where can i get it?
Love to hear this, Candice. I’m going to send you one!
I thank God for you too, Lisa, even when your words release the pent-up tears. No I think that should be especially when your words release the pent-up tears. Thank you for your honesty and for having the courage to write.
Love to you, Lori. Sweet words to my soul.
I love that God uses us even when we have no idea that we’re being used. So many times I leave church thinking “why on earth did I even bother today?” The kids don’t like me, their parents don’t care that I spend every Sunday making sure no one gets hurt and taking them to the potty and loving on them, or trying to. I’m not going back.” Only to hear from someone that they overheard a conversation about me. How good I am with the kids. How much they appreciate the time I spend. They love my spirit, my attitude, my devotion. I don’t see it, but they do.
We touch so many people’s lives without even knowing it even if we’re “no one”
I’m not famous, or even very popular, but I intentionally touch the lives of nearly 800 families every weekend – not to mention all of people who’s names I’ll never know..the waitress, cashier, person in line, in the car that just cut me off.
Our circle of influence is amazingly huge and only God knows how we are going to change those that we touch.
Yes, Susie. You got it!
Amen … as a soulmate in ministry to women, I hear you well …
Yes, Linda!
Thank you for this, Lisa!
AMAZING GRACE that God chooses to use anyone!
I am AMAZED!
Me too, Gina. Thank you, God.
Thank you for your obedience, boldness and courage. That is all God asks of us and you are being faithful. I am learning that we have to let go of expectations (ours and others) and just do what He calls us to do.
Be encouraged, Lisa. By His power and grace you have more influence than you know.
Take good care,
Monica
Monica, you are a dear woman, and I’m so glad you come here.
Love this and weep with you! Love your heart!
Donna…thank you. God has made you wonderful!
Your post are from the heart, that is why I look forward to each and every one of them. You allow Him to speak through you so graciously. And, it’s ok to curl up under your blanket, that’s where I find some of my best times with Him. May He comfort you, give you rest, peace and inspire you. Keep sharing girl – cause you are doing a great job!
Thank you, Carol. This blesses me!
Thank you, I needed to hear this today. I am that speaker, that pastor’s wife, that minister, that writer – who just wants to quit this morning, and was desperate for a word to just keep going. So incredibly discouraged. And you are right, people just don’t understand how powerful those words can be to someone else.
I hear this, friend. Discouragement is hard and by the way, real. But your words, service and ministry matter, and I have said a prayer for you today that you will know that full and new. KEEP GOING.
Lisa -
Thank you for so beautifully and sincerely conveying the preciousness of acts of thankfulness! I was moved by how honestly you conveyed your heart in this recent experience of letting the Holy Spirit touch this dear one through you. Thank you for being real and for the reminder that ministry does not flow through perfect vessels, rather through those who have cracks in their treasure jars from life and mended places from sins forgiven!
Truth, Julie. Praise God for using the broken and making it beautiful!
Lisa,
I sit here and read your words and feel as though you are sitting here and speaking them. I hear your heart, better yet, God knows it. You’ve left me with many thoughts, but no words. Thanking God for you now Lisa and the ministry He’s given you as well. Be well and be you!
Thank you, Jill. Sending love and hugs.
Lisa-
Your honesty and your courage are what makes me like you best! I am so done with the “church people” who so often mean well but have been taught to be phoney because they are so desperately afraid to let their bumbs and bruises show. This is how we all heal.
You have a gift and being a sensitive soul makes you great at helping others and at risk of losing yourself along the way. I am so happy to hear that you are being blessed on the other side too.
Take that breath. Let the thankfulness fill up your heart once again to keep on going.
I am so very thankful to be able to read your blog.
Take care and God bless,
Lina
Lina…you are a sweet encourager, and I DO thank God for you.
Wow this is so powerful. I do not respond as often as I use to but I still read your blog everytime I get a new one in my email. What God is doing is still AMAZING!!! I often times think about when I got to come and hear you speak and how excited you were to meet me for the first time and the fact that you remembered me was amazing to me. This I can tell is more to you then just something to do but it truly is your ministry and you love helping others. Thank you again and YES I will continue to follow the truth and I do mean the hardcore truth, for that my friend is what motivates us to CHANGE. Love you something fierce.
Lora
Lisa. You have always had such a way with words which offer such love, hope and healing to all of the ones you connect with. Ministry is hard, lonely and often a thankless job but when we help even one, we have done enough. God sees your heart as do your readers. God Bless and glad to have connected with you.
Angie Webb
Lisa, I’m not sure how I stumbled across your blog a while ago, but I am so glad I did. My heart needed to hear these words today – to absorb this – that even when we don’t think so, we are doing ministry. Thank you for all that you do! You have been an encouragement to me.