This is a guest post From Lauren Lienhard.

I love sitting out on my little apartment porch…I have some petunias and violets and there are lovely trees that soften the view of the garbage dump across the street. Sitting here this morning, there is a gentle breeze in the air. Quietly, I open my bible and my eyes fall to this passage…

“For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you nor is it out of reach. It is not in heaven that you should say; who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it? Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say; who will cross the sea and get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it? BUT, the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it!” Deuteronomy 30; 11-14

I am cut to the heart as I read each word. And a memory floods into my mind…A memory of a peaceful evening a year ago, here on this same porch with my husband Owen. The atmosphere was full of crickets and fireflies and we seized the moment to take in the evening. We talked about all the things that we desire to do as a family…the things that had been stirring deep down in our hearts for a long time. “We could take the kids to a soup kitchen once a month to serve food to the poor. And, go to the nursing home up the street to read and sing to the widows. We could sponsor an orphan in Africa or someone who is persecuted in China.” Sitting here this morning, I realize that not much has come from our sincere intentions.

Yet strangely, instead of feeling guilt and shame and discouragement…I sense God washing over me and empowering me with His Word…filling me afresh with courage and compassion. I suddenly feel emboldened to declare, “Lord, You say I am equipped and able to live for Your Kingdom TODAY, right now, as a young mother of two…one more on the way, a clumsy wife…prone to mistakes. You say Your Word is very near me, in my mouth and in my heart…that I may do it!

“When did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison and come to You? The King will answer and say to them, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” Matthew 25:37-40

Photo: j03