August 10, 2014: It’s a new morning. I’m still thinking about these Christian children who are being beheaded, and the mommies and daddies who have to watch. The women who are being raped, and then killed. These girls who have been stolen from their church school.

And then there’s me. A Christian woman on the other side of the globe.

Have you ever wondered why you were born into a country of privilege, the family you have, or why you live where you live? It’s ALL for the glory of God, even though you may not see it. You have a purpose right where you are. It’s just as valid and just as necessary as a ministry on a much grander scale. Why? Because it’s still from God. The chores He gives us are no less relevant just because they’re not in the mainstream media.

In reality, no one is going to knock on my door and ask me to harbor Iraqi Christian refugees tomorrow. They just aren’t. And they’re probably not going to ask you to either. We have a different ministry.  Today, I want to encourage you to be faithful in the ministry you have right near your home. If you don’t think there are any ministries that need your help within your community, look deeper. Maybe it’s time for you to start one.

I have a friend who started a homeless ministry with just a few ladies from church. At first it was just a weekend here or there. Then it grew to a weekly event. They go to the homeless living on the streets and distribute clothing, toiletries, and food. They pray with these women, children, and men. In some cases, they even rehabilitate them, and I have witnessed some of the coming to Jesus. The growth has been phenomenal to watch. And it started with one woman, and then another, who saw a need and put feet on the need. They are just everyday women with husbands and children and to-do-lists just like yours.

I have another friend who started a lunchbox ministry to provide local children with portable snacks that they can take home on the weekend to nourish them and provide what they may not be receiving.

Maybe your ministry is adopting a child from another country so that they can find hope and true love from a family who pursued them night and day until they were in loving arms in a forever home.  Maybe it’s a mission trip where you travel to another country. Maybe it’s supporting those who ARE on a mission trip.

Maybe it’s helping at the local school, or sewing blankets for parents whose babies were stillborn, or teaching a Sunday School class, or writing a book that tells your story, even if it encourages just one. Whatever it is, do it, and don’t stop. And if you’re not doing it yet, let God know you’re ready, and watch as He shows you the ministry meant just for you. Because no matter where you were born or where you live, there’s a ministry with a you-shaped-hole that only you can fill.

Someone out there is waiting for you.

Your spiritual cheerleader,
~ Karen