Empowered by God

Do you ever feel like there are too many issues out there for you to make a difference? Believe it or not, I’ve felt this way before, especially with my knowledge of all the things going on in the charity world.

For instance, last week, there were three different things I wanted to talk about—National Literacy Day on the 8^th, September 11 as a day of service, and National Suicide Prevention Week. If you “tuned in” last week, you know I settled on the latter.

Why? Simply because I’ve written about the other two and hadn’t written about the third one yet. I felt like it was time. On the tenth anniversary of September 11, I definitely focused on that and as a former English teacher, I’ve written about literacy throughout the year.

The two other issues are important to me. I buy my books from Better World Books because I know they give books to people that need them and provide literacy programs throughout the world. I also made brownies and cookies for my local firefighters on September 11.

This month is full of awareness days and I won’t get to them all, but I’ll do my best.

In the meantime, what do you do when you feel overwhelmed by all the charity issues around you? Some advocate choosing one issue and focusing on it. I do that. Cancer research and prevention is my main issue because there has been a lot of cancer in my family. I have volunteered at the American Cancer Society, captained a Relay for Life team, and given to cancer causes on a regular basis.

But that’s not enough for me.

I also sometimes feel a pull on my heart to do something for another cause. There’s nothing wrong with that and in fact, that could be God guiding you through the Holy Spirit to do something He wants you to do.

We all do many things to help others—buy Girl Scout cookies, get a raffle ticket or silent auction item, let a neighbor borrow our weed whacker, visit an elderly person who can’t get out, donate some cans at Thanksgiving to local food banks.

I want you to know that God appreciates every single, little thing you do to help others. He values your care and concern for others. He wants you to be His hands and feet.

The little things we do, like buying books from Better World or making some brownies for the firefighters add up to big things to God.

This month is Hunger Action Month and our church will be donating money and food to fill up our local pantries. I may only bring a few cans as a donation, but maybe that’s all I can do. God will take that one, small action and multiply it for good. He’ll do it for you, too. So, don’t feel overwhelmed. Feel empowered by God. God Bless, everyone!