For August 5th:

^“The greatest among you will be your servant.” Matthew 23:11-12 (NIV)

Growing up in a tiny United Methodist Church in Rising Fawn, Georgia I can remember how essential the women were to the church. On an average Sunday we would have about 75 people in worship attendance. However, when it was a covered dish Sunday you would have guessed we were feeding at least 750 people. The food was always warm and delicious and the excitement over getting to fellowship together was electric.           

I was raised in part by a long line of devout Christian women who taught my Sunday School classes and I was influenced by seeing many other women working behind the scenes to do anything in the church that needed to be done. We could only afford to pay the church pastor, therefore the congregation had to serve as volunteers in all the other crucial areas for the church, including cleaning the bathrooms. It’s amazing to look back on all my many years at that church and to never remember walking in to a dirty bathroom. The reason for this is that the people felt a deep sense of service to the church. When people feel needed, they have a greater sense of commitment to service.

These women who had busy lives outside of this tiny church took the time to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. Their witness to me was profoundly strong and helped me to recognize my call into ministry. God is calling us each by name to recognize the area we are needed to serve. God’s desire for us to be His hands and feet is not only for our church’s benefit, but rather to benefit the Kingdom of God. I pray that I can become more like the women who took care of me in my home church and I can recognize the service God has designed for me and for each of us.

Mary Austin

For August 6th:

“What does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

    

As the Christmas season approached I was so sure that God was calling me to help homeless people. I decided to look into homeless shelters in the area as I was new to Chattanooga.  My first trip downtown took me to a place that my 3 year old son and I could not go back to weekly as I could not compromise his safety. I called a women’s shelter next but they would not allow me to bring my child. I felt defeated a little until I was approached about attending a meeting at a church downtown. I had no relationship with this team of pastors and religious leaders other than one with whom I had shared with my desires to be of help. I found myself involved in a community wide effort to take down “tent city”. I left that meeting and drove to a field behind a downtown church. I parked and watched as people walked in and out of the bushes. I took a moment to say a prayer, got out of my car, picked up my son and walked through the bushes. Pieces of tarps strung from the trees, barrels burning fires, pots and pans and empty cans of beer and beans. Some had backpacks, a few stood smoking cigarettes.  I was careful not to make eye contact. I quickly left. I had to hurry. I only had a few hours to get home wipe out all of my families camping supplies-tents, sleeping bags and can goods and be back to pick up my kids from school.  I (mighty me) was going to fix up these campsites and still be home in time to cook dinner. I loaded the car and jumped on the interstate.

The blue lights came from nowhere and I was NOT speeding. According to the officer that issued me a speeding ticket I was exceeding the speed limit. Whatever?! I was so angry and frustrated I prayed out loud “ Are you kidding me God”? “I am trying to get these people warm blankets and tents before it rains and turns cold. This is what I get in the trouble?” I went home instead of taking the goods. I pouted, and slammed the doors. I attempted to justify myself to my husband who replied and I quote, “Sounds to me like Satan won that one.” 

I had been sifted like wheat. I lost the battle. I allowed myself to be the almighty fixer that failed and at the first sign of defeat blamed God. As if to say,”I am doing your work, the least you could do is help me arrive safely and bless me for my efforts.”  Instead of a traumatic head injury from the brick He politely hit me over the head with, God used that speeding ticket to teach me to slow down. My failure was used to show me that He has the tents and the warm blankets as Almighty provider. Even with the best of intentions I can do nothing right and perfect without God in the midst. I left God in that parking lot and drove off to fix things I can’t fix and do it faster and better than He could.

The best lesson: to walk humbly with God.

On a side note-God successfully took down “tent city” and provided homes for every person who lived there. God is good!

Meg Maddox