Sacrifices
A few months ago, my husband and I were in Sarasota, Florida, visiting with some of our dear Amish friends who had come there for a vacation. They’d only been there a few days when they got a call from home, saying someone new in their church district had passed away unexpectedly. This Amish couple, as well as the others who were with them, set aside the plans they’d made for the rest of their vacation. They quickly secured a ride home so they could be there for the funeral, and to offer comfort to the man’s grieving widow and children. I thought about their sacrifice and wondered how many of us “Englishers” would give up our vacation to return home for the funeral of someone we didn’t know that well.
One of the things I admire most about my Amish friends is their dedication to God and the love they show to others whenever there is a need. While they might not evangelize, hand out tracks, or go door-to-door, sharing the Good News, they are living, by example, the way our Lord wants each of us to live. Their lives, and the sacrifices they make for others, are a true testimony of their devotion to God.
I’ve done some soul-searching since our trip to Florida, and have asked myself what sacrificies I have made recently that would let others see the love of Jesus shining in me. How about you? Is there a way you can witness to others about Jesus by making some sacrificies this week?
This week and last week I’ve been dog sitting for my neighbor. I really wanted this time to myself , since my husband is away on a golfing trip to Myrtle Beach. I decided to watch the little doggie to help my neighbors. Understand I’m not used to dogs and am a cat person. So watching this little doggie takes some getting used to. At times it hasn’t been easy and I asked myself what I got myself into. But I feel that The LORD put me here on this earth to help others and serve them. This I believe is my calling. So I sacrificed this time for myself in order to make someone else happy.
We all can share The Lord if we are willing to step out in faith a lot of use are not us to walking out in faith maybe we got hurt by someone I help my in laws every day I clean and hubby does all the outsaid stiff mowing we have a big garend we give them a lot of stiff from it we do all of our canning together to 4950 quicksand creek road jackson ky 41339
continuing to bring the neighbor girl to church with me, invite her to vbs. telling her about Jesus.
I am looking for where He wants me to sacrifice.
Sometimes what we think might be a sacrifice isn’t a sacrifice at all. I lost my husband 17 months ago. The last year that he was alive he spent in a nursing home. I was with him every day from ten in morning until nine at night. Some might think this as a sacrifice to the rest of my family, but to me it was where I wanted to be. I think some of us take our spouses for granted and we don’t realize that until they are gone. Although he is gone now and I miss him more and more each day it has given me the chance to spend more time with my Mother ,who turned 97 this year. I try to spend as much time with her as I can by taking her to doctors appointments or just going to sit with her. There is no sacrifice for those that you love. Just don’t take them for granted and remember to tell them that you LOVE them.
My elderly neighbors husband passed away and she has a hard time getting around…me and my family have been helping her by going to the grocery store for her, getting her mail, cutting the grass and taking her meals.
As much as I would enjoy being in our Sunday morning preaching service, during that time I get to teach 3rd and 4th grade girls from underprivileged areas who ride our buses about Jesus every Sunday. What a joy to share God’s Word with these young hearts who otherwise might not hear!
Spending my Saturday taking elderly neighbor to church, even though she can be crabby .
Sacrifice what we want to love and give to others is a wonderful example of Jesus living in us. May Our Father give each of us the grace to answer that call when it comes.
In Dec. 2013 A ex brother- in- law passed away. My sister and I were the only family of 2 children with my sister that showed up for the funeral. His children were so very happy to see someone from there side of the family there. (and others were much closer than we were.) We put aside our Christmas doings to go. There is a lot of ways to show Love and The Lords Love . I think we showed ours. Love In Christ
Dear Wanda, Your Journal Entry for April 24th struck a cord with me as I have been reading in my devotions the very same thing about sacrifices we as Christians can and do make as a witness of the love of Jesus. When you love one another as Jesus loved us it is a thing of beauty to be selfless in our concern for others, family and friends alike. Thank you for your witness to me in your Journal and your great books. Mary Ellen
Some of my sacrifices are not huge ones but perhaps in some small way others will see Jesus in me. I baked cookies Saturday to take to our church to enjoy a youth celebration that we had. Did I want to spend some time baking cookies Saturday afternoon when we had wonderful sunshiny weather? Not really, but I did it anyway. I will do it again this Saturday. We have another celebration coming up on Sunday. We will be welcoming our new Youth Pastor. While I will be baking cookies, my hubby will be one of the helpers moving the youth pastor in to his and his wife’s new home.
Also making a dish for a funeral dinner is one way I have sacrificed time to help others.
Blessings!
Judy B
Sacrifices for friends. Wow, what an example your Amish friends are to the rest of us to drop whatever we are doing and help someone else. This fast paced world tells us otherwise, but I sure don’t want to miss helping someone in need. Thank you, Wanda, for sharing with us. Love reading your books.
I have been helping my neighbor who had knee surgery three weeks ago. She is on the mend and my sacrifice isn’t a large one, but she needed help and I was there for her.
Joyce M.
Our church family always pulls together in times of need. We had a teenage girl from our church with cancer and one particular Sunday we took up an offering for her. Over 13,000 dollars was collected! I work in a hospital that does not allow openly witnessing but I try to give smiles and encouragement to those I have contact with. Sometimes just telling someone I’ll be praying for you is all someone needs.
Recently I saw a van rolling over when I looked in my rear view mirror. I got on the phone and called 911 as I was backing up to the scene. It was a lady and her 2 year old son, neither was hurt seriously but the EMT’s thought he should be lifeflighted to the hospital over an hour from the scene. Since they would not let the mother in the helicoptor we offered to take her to the hospital. When we got there I went in with her to make sure we were at the right hospital, the battery was dead on her cell phone so she used mine the entire way to let family know what had happened. She offered to pay for gas but I refused, I could not take her money as she didn’t know what she was facing. The little boy was fine too, he was coloring by the time we got to the hospital, the Lord was on her side that day.
I know that I do not sacrafice as much as I need to. I guess I just think I am too busy. But, I know that the only way unbelievers are going to see Christ is by the actions that I take. So, I am going to do better and make time to give a little of myself to someone else.
I’m encouraged by the sacrifices so many of us in my congregation made to donate items for a silent auction to raise funds for medical expenses for a young girl in our congregation who has a rare form of cancer. Last Thursday night was the silent auction with a goal of raising $10,000 for this precious girl’s medical deductible for the year. The event was heavily attended, and every single item sold for the list price or more, raising $17,111. Praise God for manifesting His love through these women for this family. May they be greatly encouraged!!!
I work in very busy pharmacy in Florida. This is a very different part of town, where there are moderately well-off retirees who come for the winter, as well as the very poor, immigrants from Haiti and many Spanish-speaking countries who really don’t have anything, and are struggling to make ends meet, plus obtain the medicines they need if they are ill. Many times these are people who “fall between the cracks” because they are not citizens and cannot get help from the government and yet, sometimes are either too proud or simply don’t know of the various ministries of the local churches that may be able to help them. When someone comes in, and they are without any insurance or Medicaid, I usually have some discount cards which I will enter in the computer so at least they can get some help in paying for their medicines. Of course, treating the poor with the same respect and dignity as one would the well-heeled patients goes without saying. We are called, all of us, to be Jesus to others, and to see Jesus in others. I remember seeing the television coverage of the funeral in India for Mother Teresa, when they showed her body being carried from the motherhouse to the streets for the procession, on one of the walls was painted, in large letters, “you did it to Me”. As Christians, we are sure to know the verses that came before that. We should call to mind those words every day.
This blog post is very thought provoking. It is good to see an example of people who do not even hesitate to do something that is best for someone else instead of themselves. I always try to be this way and pray continuously as I am going through my days. Little reminders are good.
hi wanda i have read severalof your books and i am also an avid person who is very much interested in the amis way of life I know the lord has his hands om me everyday he brought me through back in 2007when i was hospitalized for three months.I am a firm believer tha t because of my faith in him is the reason i am stillhere today.
I love doing for others ..when my Mom passed away, many of our friends cut vacations short, many were farmers that needed to do their planting but they were all there, with us.. I send cards to many people, and at times I wondered how they liked them ,but I got so many notes telling how much it meant to get a Christian card,going to the mail box, or someone bring their mail..it does me much more good than it does them…My Mom passed away right after Mothers Day,but I feel her love always.
Try to be of help to whom ever needs it. Don’t have alot but am willing to share what I have.
One thing that I really admire about the Amish is just how community minded they are. If there is a need, they are there to help, whether it be a barn raising, a work frolic, making meals for other family.
I’m not Amish, so I’m not involved in barn raisings or work frolics. I have been involved in other things though. It started with one family, wondering how much it would cost to feed a family for a week. There were major health issues and they couldn’t cook an evening meal. From there, I ended up some days cooking 120 serves per day, sometimes twice or three times per week, and freezing them until a need arose. I’m on a disability pension, so I don’t have a lot of spare cash. I knew that God would take care of my finances though.
More recently, I am involved in a women’s group of over 200 women. I felt the Lord asking me to be His encouragement, and so when there are birthdays, births, weddings, deaths etc, I send them cards to let them know that they are special, are being prayed for and loved. I just praise God for the way that He uses me. It’s all Him and not me that the glory goes to.
I try to do little things for others every day. I don’t call it a sacrifice I call it a pleasure.
A good friend of ours is finally getting repairs done to his house after a flood 2 years ago. My husband and I have taken he and his four dogs and one cat in since they had no where else to go. I admit it has been a challenge since his dogs are not the best behaved and one has had some health problems. I turn to God for help with the frustration but I feel good we were able to help.
I help out at a retirement centre, very rewarding.
First of all I would like to say how much I enjoy ready your books. I just recently discovered Amish novels. I’ve been intrigued by the lifestyle of the Amish. As you have noted, even though they dress and speak differently they are faced with the same trials that face the entire human race. Their humility, selflessness and devotion to their “faith” puts many of other “faiths” to shame.
It given me a whole new perspective on the command to “Love your neighbor as yourself “. This is COMPLETELY contradictory to our present culture. If we as parents would teach BY EXAMPLE the principles the Amish adhere to our country would be in a much better shape.
I tried to teach this to my children. Serving others brings such joy. It is better to GIVE than to RECEIVE. If you see someone, especially an elderly person or someone disabled or a little child in need of assistance …do all you can to help them without being asked.
I was touched when I read this journal entry. I often think how we do not really know the meaning of sacrifice. Sacrifice is usually showing God’s love to someone in a special and unique way that is not so easy or out of our comfort zone, and or to someone we don’t even know.
I pray that other people will see God’s love through the way I live my day to day life, and that I teach my daughter the importance of letting God’s light shine through the way we present ourselves and live our lives, even when nobody is watching.
We have all suffered the lost of well-loved family and friends.
Friend’s and family’s presence at funerals is so very comforting.
Thank-you for reminding us just how important it is just to be there.
This winter we’ve opened our home to our Great Nephew Charlie. He is 10 and struggling in school, getting into trouble with the teacher, not completing homework. He cannot work on his homework at home because of too many people disrupting his thought pattern. He refuses to do his home and no one at home wants to help him because they are continuing to yell at him out of frustration. We live a couple of houses down from him and his Mom and two more siblings. So we told Charlie when it gets too much for him at home he had a safe place to come do his homework. So he will come over and go to my kitchen and set down, do his homework without any help, unless there is something he doesn’t understand then I will help him. He is still struggling with everything. They have finally been testing him at school for next year of putting him in a class where he can get the help he needs. We went through this with our boys and they both graduated high school. I so hope he gets the help he needs and his Mom to understand yelling at her kids doesn’t cut it. Please keep Charlie in your prayers, he really needs it. Thanks!
This week I can’t say that I have done any sacrifices that I want to share but we did go to dinner for my b-day and there was a waitress who was having a hard time but was so nice we hadn’t met her before but she looks just like the sweet girl who is raising my grandson for my daughter who can’t . Well after telling her the story she got big tears in her eyes and was so nice so we gave her extra money so she could buy something. Also in church we go out of our comfort zone and welcome people that sit next to is and try to make them so welcome that they continue to come. There are a few other things but these are things that we normally do as it is the christain way for us . I do read my bible daily and call a lady who is in a senior home since I am homebound I cant see her every day but I sure can call her which I do and talk to her for awhile she enjoys talking on the phone. There are many ways to make sacrifices and I think as a couple we do that and it is just our way and the type of people we are. Well take care wanda and same with your family !
When our daughter passed away at 23 leaving behind two sons, not quite two and four, we were devastated. It was during the time of caring for them while their father finished his schooling that I was led to start a card ministry to others needing encouragement. It has grown through the years to include the elderly, most of whom are either housebound or in a nursing home, and sending birthday greetings to those in our church family. Sometimes it is a sacrifice to take the time out of a busy day to make and send cards and letters to those on my list, but I am rewarded by the feelings of knowing I am doing what God led me to do many years ago. God’s blessings of peace, contentment and joy always override the temporary feelings of “sacrifice”!
One of my very best older friends was recently confined to a full-time nursing facility 30 miles away. She is a wonderful, unconditionally loving friend that I have been blessed to have for almost two decades. I find it very difficult to take the time and make the effort to go visit with her. This facility is in a town that I very rarely go to. It could hardly be more be more off my usual path! I love this lady dearly and I feel guilty that I do not visit more often. So, I have really worked on myself to take the time to be with her. She, even in her present condition, is such a strong woman of faith, such an encourager, that my visits are always rewarded with a sweet comfort.
I am watching a baby for a young couple in need of a sitter. They are struggling financially and can’t afford childcare.
In todays world there is constant noise of television, phones, video games and such . It seems like just bible reading and prayer is a sacrifice. God help us to not forget our purpose in this life, due to everyday distractions..
I so admire the Amish for sticking to their beliefs even though it may be hard. I am a Catholic Christian and have decided to copy the Amish way of individual prayer. I believe in going straight to the source. As a Catholic, I learned so many written prayers during my life, but I find that I feel better when I say to God exactly what I want instead of leaning on a previously written prayer.
I live in a retirement community and ask the Lord to give me opportunities each day/each activity to share for Christ. Some days I get several opportunities and other days, not any. Always praying for someone that the Holy Spirit is working in. Thanks for the contest. I really enjoy your books. sm, CA
Don’t know why we enjoy these stories of the Amish so much, just a different way of life. I love reading about their problems and how they are solved without the every day things we have grown so use to.
Living for the Lord is the best way to share His love. We are the only bible some people will ever read.
We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ so we need to care for others as he cared for us. Being there for others is one of those ways of showing others we care. I am known as the card lady by my friends and family, when my friend had breast cancer I would send her a card every week , funny ones caring ones, musical ones all kinds letting her know she had someone on her side. I did the same for my 18 year old nephew when he had cancer and have done it for others. My friend has kept every card and rereads them often and my nephew sent me a thank you note letting me know how much it meant to him. I may keep the post office in business with all the mail I send but if it lets one person know that they are loved and cared about it is worth it all.
That was so nice of those Amish that stoped thier vacation and headed back home for the funeral of a friend. I’m not sure many would do that unless it was family.
Taking extra time to fast and pray for the three people in our church who have cancer. One is 5 years old. The others are a little older, but they are all suffering so much. Live my life the way God wants me to live and be a light to all those around me. Whether it is helping someone or a friendly word or smile.
What a better world and America this would be if we all would live our lives like the Amish! It is an awesome and inspiring goal to attain. We should all live our lives serving our God!
I lost my mom twenty-five years ago and it seems like yesterday. I think of her quite often when I am with my grandchildren. She only knew two of them and she adored them and they loved her. I feel that she is always watching over all of us. I miss her so much but, my life has been so full with my boys and my grandchildren. I thank God everyday for being so blessed.
Well I have found that sacrifices should be made knowing that what you have done is right. I have breast cancer and sacrifices have seem to come very easy. Not only for me, my family, my friends. My family has helped me so much through buying me a drink or my medication if I had hard times that month. I love my family so much and so appreciate the sacrifices that they make for me..
P.S. love the books I share with my mom and aunt,. they absolutely love them.. <3
I attend a community Bible study I invited a co worker to join me next year, not sure of the reaction I would receive.
I deliver items(home cooked foods ready to eat)to sick,shut ins and elder,and put in their freezers or fridge,we cook it all ,and the look on their faces,is moving,some call and tell us when they are out of cake/food…we get more out of it than anyone could know..a gift card or a little cash goes a long way,Thank God for letting us be able,and being taught to share by our parents as an example.
I would not call this a sacrifice as such but when we retired, we sold our large home and moved to a much smaller home to be near our daughter and her husband to help with their children with infant care and then after school care and sick day care. We are retired and could be traveling and doing something really relaxing, but we chose to help out each and every weekday and some weekends too so that our daughter and son in law can work full time and be able to have a nice home and to have a way to save for the kids college funds. We love having the children every day and making dinner for them and our daughter and son in law many times too. It is a wonderful way for the grandchildren to know us so much better and to have stability and be safe every day rather than being shuffled around to this or that after school facility and to not have a reliable sitter.
The children have enriched our lives and kept us young and we don’t feel that we are missing out on very much for not being able to be away like other retired couples. We are happy that we are still able to do what we can as that is what family is all about to us.
Thank you.
Cynthia
The Lord is my Shepherd, since I love my hubby 8 yrs. ago it has been hard for me, but every day I put my feet on the floor and say what have you for me to do today Lord? Thank you for another day to serve you. I continue to take a neighbor to grocery stores because she does not drive. I call other friends who have lost loved ones, to cheer them up. I make my own cards so I am always sending cards to someone.
what a wonderful and thought provoking journal entry. i do not have alot of money but i do give alot of time to church and volunteer events. letting people know i care by my actions than just words. i am blessed to live in an area that has a multitude of volunteer opportunities.
I helped take care of four elderly people and on pretty much a 24/7 job! when they said I cann’t pay me, I said I was glad I could help. I was their Angel!
I get so much pleasure in fixing up cards from our church congregation for the sick and the shut ins, to those who have lost loved ones, and on Holidays, I buy and send cards out to the widows of our church, I buy the cards that I send from what little money I make selling Avon, And I probably send as many if not more cards from myself and my husband as I do from our small congregation, I do not consider it a sacrifice to do this for I believe Jesus wants me to do for others as I would want done for me. I also will make cards too for special occasions, if I need to, but to put me in a place where I can get good cards at a good price, and I like the ones wit h a scripture on, it is like putting a kid in a candy store and telling him to go at it, I am in my Glory.
When I retired I thought I would sit home and read novels. It didn’t work that way. I am busier now then when I worked. VBG( Busy being a volunteer). I represent our local library at a senior living facility. Many do not have transportation to the library so I call and ask for requests. Then I pick out MANY other choices . This I do every 3 weeks.
I also run the Book Nook (used book store ) at our church.I started with a table full.Now there are several thousand. This pays for the heating but in reality it pays much more by bringing people into the church.
God has blessed me this is my pay back.
I am not quite sure this is a sacrifice, as I feel I am blessed. Our daughter and son-in-law lost their home from the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy. Their son was 1-1/2 years at the time and she was pregnant with son #2. We praise the Lord for his goodness because they stayed at our home the days of the storm… they lost everything but the Lord preserved their lives. They have been staying at our home since then (18 months plus) which is sometimes a challenge… BUT most of the time truly a precious time with our grandchildren. We have friends that have actually said to us… they would not.
I have recently gone through a divorce and now am trying to make ends meet as a single individual. I have my daughter, her spouse, her daughter, my two sons living with me. Everybody was working to get themselves on board to become self sufficient. But while they were getting there I was having to sacrifice so much just to keep us afloat. I turned over a car loan to my daughter and her husband recently which meant that I had to take on a new payment which was a little larger per month. I have taken on a second job which means I work 40 hours a week at my office job and then I deliver pizza’s 5 nights a week. Plus we were behind on the mortgage note so I sacrificed my awesome, custom painted motorcycle to be pawned so that we could come up with the money to pay the mortgage up. We are well on our way to getting on our feet financially now. All members of the household are working, except the 13 year old, sharing expenses and learning how to be self sufficient adults. In the meantime, the sacrificing continues but it is worth it to keep a family on top of the ground instead of finding themselves falling short all the time. God is good and he gets us through it all.
From reading your books, the Amish are certainly loyal and caring. My Mom and Dad would have dropped everything to be there too. That used to drive me crazy as a child. There are many ways to “sacrifice” at our church to serve God. There are many ministries such as going to a senior living facility on Friday nights to sing, preach and be an encouragement rather than going out to eat, the movies, shopping, etc. I LOVE being in the services every Sunday but for the month of April we helped with Junior Church during the services. There is a bus ministry where people give up sleep to get up and go drive the vans to pick up people on Sunday mornings. Coming to church for singing practice is giving up family time. Soon VBS starts and that is a big commitment especially for those who also work outside the home. They have no time other than work, church and some sleep. Taking a turn in cleaning the church is a big, messy job but is a ministry. Handing out tracks to the public is a hard one for fear of rejection and hostile people. I could go on and on. BUT ARE THESE THINGS REALLY A SACRIFICE? Jesus was beaten and died for us!!! We will never do anything comparable. We should serve God with a merry heart. (like your book said about Miriam) 🙂
Sacrifices are amazing for all of us, we need to be aware of the world around us and listen to our Lord and Savior, He lets us know when we are needed to help another! We cannot be too busy! Take time to listen and help the Lord!
I love the spirit of the Amish people, but really we have the same Spirit (the Holy Ghost) living inside of us! They are simple, humble people and we could learn so much from them. I strive to be more like that each day and sacrafice for others. This week I have been working on a library for our church. We have never had a library, so we raised the money needed and had things donated to open a small one in our church. It will be used to uplift and minister to people. It is almost ready to open and I am so excited! I have prayed about it and the Lord really laid it on my heart to go through with it. So, the Amish don’t have a “secret ingredient” for being the way they are. We have the same ingredient…..Jesus! We just sometimes don’t use our ingredient to the best of our ability.
Thank you for sharing this experience, and so many more, through your web site & books! Thank you for challenging me to think about my priorities and what is important to me! My oldest son died unexpectedly February 2010, at the age of 33…I found out 3 days before Mother’s Day,when his death certificate arrived in the mail that the coroner’s report said, “morphine toxicity.” So many people came to the funeral home who didn’t even know him, but they knew me or my other children! Over half of his funeral expenses were given by my church family, friends, family & co-workers! It still overwhelms me when I think about being on the receiving end of love & compassion!
I have some friends that are going through a rough time with sick spouses.. I try be there when they need me. They are always in my prayers.
it takes a special person(s) to be able to give up their plans for others. But that is what I love about your books about the Amish people.
For me, I work with the mentally ill , some are more difficult to work with than others, all are treated with respect and consideration with no problem to big or small for them to bring to me or for me to treat the patient as if they are my only patient. I remember daily that the people, both staff and patients, are children of God and are treated as such.
My husband Brad & I saw Half-Stiched last summer in Shipshewanna…He is not a play person, but agreed to do the overnight package…He actually enjoyed himself…He was very humbled at meeting you & your husband there also…He couldn’t believe how sweet and down to earth you were…so calm and really enjoying yourself…I think maybe he pictured a “big rock star type crowd”…totally not! We really appreciated your kindness…truly a gift from God…My husband has incurable Leukemia and he was actually able to relax there….We are budgeting to do it again…hopefully this summer! God’s blessings!
The Amish do have a way of giving of themselves to others (especially in their own community) when someone else is in need. May be if we all followed giving of our selves to other, the work might be a better place in which to live in
I enjoy reading about the Amish so much. Their lifestyles and their devotion to God are definitely to be admired. It was great reading about their sacrificing their vacation to be of service to others.
My job is taking care of Developmental Disabled Adults. I do it for a job-yes, but my main reason is because I love this type of work. Most of them don’t have family, or the ones that have family-don’t get to see them for one reason or another. So WE-their staff, are their family. You get very attached to them. They are very sweet, loving people. And I believe this is what I’ve been called to do, especially sense I’ve been doing it for 30 years.
I recently had a recent incident that was similar. My husband had a serious automobile accident and met my neighbor of 2 years. I needed a ride to the hospital to be with my husband. Since then, I have reached out to some new neighbors I saw alone on Easter. I invited them over for dinner and their little boy joined my grandchildren in an Easter Egg hunt. We are also very involved with out local food pantry, I do charity quilting and am forming a group in my area for Quilts of Valor. My husband, who is retired, is doing odd jobs for older folds in our community. We have given up our plans to help our family and friends. Just last week, my youngest daughter told me she didn’t know what she would have done without her sister and I during an emergency. He middle son was ill and was life-lined to Indianapolis to the children’s hospital. She had a 2 month old baby she was nursing and an older brother who was 5 years old. We took the oldest, a key to their house and she left. The next day we took them clothes and things for the sick boy and stuff for the baby. She said she never gave a thought to her oldest son as she knew he was in excellent hands and we knew his schedule and would get him to school and such. It is my goal in life to let others see Christ in my life. I want to see how we live through Christ.
I have learned when running late or something gets in the way to be patient. My mother is in the Hospital and now my Granny is in another and it keeps me very busy running back and forth to both keeping check on them and I have met some folks that if it wasn’t all in God’s timing I would have never been at the right place at the right time to hear their heavy hearts and to be a witness to them and to let them know I would be praying for them. There is one of my mother’s nurses that took my cell phone and keeps in contact with me!! If we will allow ourselves to be used of the Lord he will sure use us we have no idea the impact we have on others until we are approached and their hearts are poured out to us in need of help! So glad I am in the Lord’s army and I am looking forward to being used again in the near future!!
I have done volunteer work with our local fire company ladies auxillory. I have found though that I need to work on my attitude because I am not doing this out of the goodness of my heart but out of obligation. I struggle many days with my selfish thoughts and feelings. Fortunately, I have a wonderful church group that I can share and received possitive feedback. Thank you
I do not consider these sacrifices but my Mother-in-Law is 89 years old and my husband and I take her to all her doctors appointments and keep her at our house every other week for a couple days. She is a born shopper and even at 89 she loves to go shopping. I am retired so I take her shopping.
We also have a 81 year old lady in our church and we pick her up on Sunday evenings and Wednesday nights for church service. She is on a walker and feels like she is a bother but I tell her no. She doesn’t want to be a burden but I tell her she is robbing me of a blessing if she doesn’t let me help her. I love the Amish way of taking care of people. Love reading your books.
I don’t really think of this as a sacrifice, but I try to carry out my daily responsibilities with love instead of disdain. Rather than think of daily duties as boring chores, I try to think of them as acts of love for God and for my family.
Sacrificing for loved ones does not actually feel like a sacrifice. It’s love. It’s a pleasure to be there for them. The same can be said about how I feel about giving of myself to helping others I barely know, or do not know at all. It’s not a sacrifice if it is done willingly I feel.
A couple of weeks ago I lost my father-in-law to a quick spreading cancer that he had been fighting for only 9 months. Two days later I lost my Aunt. She had dementia and had a short time ago had broke her hip and had not recovered from that. They say God never gives you anything that you can’t handle and with his help I made it through both funerals.
Daily sacrifices are a part of the Christian life I think…rather you’re relating to your husband or family members. I always consider sacrifices ‘blessings in disguise’ because they make me feel good! I have an 87-year old mom who lives several states away and I try to visit her in the Spring and the Fall, staying a couple of months or more. This is a ‘sacrifice’ to spend time away from my husband, my home, and my church but it is so worth it…I will have special memories when my precious mom has gone to her Heavenly home and I will have regrets I’m sure but not that I didn’t spend quality time with her! Thanks, Wanda for an insightful blog post! Linda
For my 60th birthday gift, my 23 yo daughter joined me to work on a Habitat for Humanity home. It is always rewarding to help others.
Add people to prayer lines
Share messages from the heart
Trust by example let go and believe
I think I have read all your books. I am interested in anything about the Amish. I think they are a great people. Very religious. I think it is good to go to funerals even if you don’t know the person in order to show respect and also sometimes there is hardly anyone the to pray for their souls. By doing good deeds for people even strangers.
I’m very thankful for all the books you have written, My husband started his well earned
retirement last year and we had plans to travel ,Life had other plans for us ,my husband had a stroke , and my 26 year old son developed Grand mal seizure, He lost his job due to having one at work and then lost his insurance and DRs, I;m so thankful I have God in my life because when you cant see any way out faith gets you through. Reading these books is such a comfort . I still find blessing in life, God Bless All
Briefly, my former robust 93 year old father got septic from an ignored leg wound and suffered a heart attack and his kidneys shut down before we made it to the hospital. For over a year he has struggled to regain ground. Finally, that wound healed and we received news that my first ex-sister-in-laws mother died. Dad insisted he needed to go because Nonna had come to my brother’s funeral about 20 years ago. We drove seven hours the day of the funeral to get there. Warmly greeted by all. Dad flagged during the meal afterward and we left.
He was shaky but proud he could honor Nonna in the same spirit of generosity. While he has slipped a little from the journey, none the less he is happier that he could offer comfort to his first ex-daughter in-law.
Your quilt books have always spoken to me in that same spirit. Thank you. jean
Dear Wanda,
I was just recently introduced to your books when I picked up the “Kentucky Brothers” trilogy at Family Christian Bookstore. I so totally enjoyed the three books and just purchased the “Brides of Webster County” trilogy. I had the chance to visit a Mennonite home years ago and it stayed in my mind what wonderful and simply beautiful people they were. And I have always been curious about the Amish and in their ways of living, mainly their Christian faith. I’ll be so looking forward to reading more of your books and series – you are a wonderful story teller! Sincerely, Ruth Hufford
In the realm of “hurtful” words….yes indeed they hurt. It is not true as the saying goes “Words can never hurt me”. My husband (pastor) & I felt this 6 years ago when some in our congregation ( our church of 35+ years) said some untrue & hurtful things not only “to us personally” but to the congregation (in front of children). My husband had worked with the youth in our church all of those years (& many years prior in camps, churches, etc). Although it hurt “us personally”, we felt the impact of that devastation through young people who’s hearts/minds were filled with un-truth by power hungry people. How we need to watch our mouths around children/youth. Heaven alone will reveal what some folk mean for harm to others will eventually affect their own children/grandchildren. Words against a Man of God is unacceptable in God’s sight. Pray instead….& let God do the work (not man) to change things if you’re not satisfied. Although our hearts were hurt & lives changed forever because of this, it hurts us more to think what harm might have been done to those unsaved & those young Christians (both young & old). So be careful little mouth what you say!!!
my life a one that GOD have been there for me , I lose my husband after 40 years and as anyone knows your life is not the same …with the LORDS help I>M fine and love him for all the help He has giving me
I try not to worry to much but when it comes to children it’s hard not to. I try to let God take care of the worrying for me. I know He’s watching over my family and me.