Is Anyone Listening?

Hello? Is anybody out there? …

Do you ever feel like you don’t have a voice, or at least a voice that is being heard and understood?

"Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.” Isaiah 1:17.

God calls us to make a difference. But to make a difference, we must start by listening to who is crying out. This week, I had the privilege of attending a two day training for not-for-profit leaders. I sat around the table with staff members and board members from various nonprofit organizations in NWA. Some of these organizations are chapters of a larger organization. One organization is governed by the mayor and city council. And some of the organizations are stand alone entities which target specific needs in the community. I saw people who are passionate about the poor, the hungry, the under-educated, those who have been removed from their caregivers for one reason or another, and for the many people in our area with varying special needs.

At one point of the training, we were talking about how easy it is to become tired or burned out because the needs far outweigh what any one organization can handle. As the group started to have its own little pity party, one of the staff members made the statement that because of how their organization is set up, they rarely get to see if they make a difference in the lives of the children they serve. After a few minutes, I spoke up. I let them know on behalf on my family, they truly were making a difference in the lives of those that they serve. I continued by telling them … “The Children’s Shelter” … that my own children benefitted from their love and care before they came to live with us and eventually adopted into our family. What an awesome feeling to be able to share our personal story with the people who helped save two small boys.

Why am I writing this in the BNC blog? Every day we look around and see people who have needs … who are crying out for help. There are people who need help with finances. There are people who need help with food, clothing, utilities, and other basic necessities that most of us take for granted. There are people who need help with their relationships. And of course, there are those who need help with their spiritual lives. I am proud to be part of a church that is serious about making a difference. I’ve seen the food pantry buzzing with people. I’ve seen people willing to step out and offer free counseling. I’ve seen backpacks filled and children sent home with snacks to keep them from being hungry on the weekends. I’ve watched 100 women and men cry when a mother and her daughter was presented with Christmas presents and an entire nursery.

Are we always listening? Do we always hear the cries? No, not always but we get better each and every day.

Don’t think what you are doing is not making a difference in the lives of others.

It is …