"Just Do It."

 “It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life.  Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom.  Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows.  For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself.  That’s an act of true freedom.”

–Galatians 5:13-14 MSG

For the past few months God has stirred in me a renewed heart for service.  I come from a family of servants so watching it growing up certainly laid the foundation.  However, I must admit sometimes I get a little tired, wondering if I’m really making a difference.  My time in prayer and meditation revealed to me that’s my fleshly need to ‘see’ the end result.  But if I’m trusting Him, then I should trust that He would not lead me to service if it wasn’t making a difference.  There are countless examples in His Word that call us to service.  So as the Nike slogans says, Just Do It!

With all the violence and division we are bombarded with daily, you can quickly become disillusioned and believe the world has gone completely mad.  In Romans 12:20-21 (MSG) God’s Word says, “Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink.  Your generosity will surprise him with goodness.  Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.”  This is more than a devotional, it is a challenge.  A challenge to help those in need.  A challenge to perform a random act of kindness, expecting nothing in return. 

Here are a few suggestions of local organizations that could use your help, or individual ways that you can help:

·        Blessing bags for the homeless:  Fill a plastic storage / freezer bag with individual sized toiletries such as toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, washcloth, deodorant, and a snack.  Keep them on hand in your car.

·        Food 4 Thought:  Hazelwood School District’s food pantry which services all 33 schools.  Food 4 Thought provides students who lack access to nutritious food at home with a reliable source of food for evenings, weekends, and other breaks from school. (In the interest of full disclosure, I am the Chairperson).  To make a donation, or host a food drive, contact me at mslaught313@yahoo.com.

·        Angels’ Arms: Angels’ Arms is dedicated to providing and supporting loving homes for foster children by keeping brothers and sisters together within a nurturing family until a forever home is found.  Angels’ Arms currently operates 12 homes.  To donate or volunteer, contact Angels’ Arms at (314) 842-8400, email  info@angelsarms.org, or visit their website at http://angelsarms.org/.

·        Horizon Club:  A 24 hour drop in center for individuals with developmental disabilities without homes that offers showers, laundry, and computer/internet access.  Their wish list includes: socks, underwear (adult sizes), travel size toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrush), first aid supplies and brown bag lunches.  Horizon Club is located at 202 N. 23^rd Street, St. Louis, MO 63103, (314) 421-0090. (Expected to close the end of August, 2016).

·        Shower to the People:  Shower to the People is a mobile shower truck that provides hygiene services and hot showers to the local homeless population of St. Louis, visiting multiple locations across the greater St. Louis area.  To find out how you can donate, email them at volunteer@showertothepeople.net, or visit their website at www.showertothepeople.net.

Margaret Slaughter