Being a conduit of God’s love to others requires an investment of time. God might call you to attend a youth or college meeting to show you are available and you care. It might take time to learn how to use a new social media platform so you can connect with someone in a younger generation. It might take time for the relationships to bloom. It will probably take many invitations before she accepts one from you.

In our busy world, time is a most precious gift. The women who gave me their time in my late teens and twenties changed my life for the better. There was no substitute or shortcut for their sacrifice. I needed the relationships to funnel certain truths into my life, and relationships take time. Their sacrifice poured over me like anointing oil and made all the difference in my life!

Who might God be calling you to sacrificially pour your time over?

We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Recently, a senior at our church told me he wished he could help with the setup for the church more, but his aches and pains kept him from being of much use. This wonderful gentleman is such a joyful blessing and encouragement to everyone! I asked him if he wanted a ministry post before service, and he eagerly said, “Yes!” (Pastor’s wives just love it when anyone answers “yes” to a question like this!) So I asked if he’d like to help with greeting. We’d recently had some of our longstanding greeters move out of state and really needed more. He was delighted! I was delighted! And I know he will be a beautiful blessing to everyone who walks through those church doors! He was lamenting what he couldn’t do, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that his particular gifts (even if he was physically able to help with set up and tear down like he wanted) will be put to the best use greeting everyone. All this to say, sometimes we look at the things we can’t do, but there are always things we can do, and those things will be the just-suited, meant-for-us-from-God things.

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