Be a Blessing by Your Blessings
Gift of Time
It is often said, the only thing we have is time.
The question is, what you do with yours and what I do with mine.
When we’re young, we get up, we push play and we go, go, go.
But as we age, we try to hit pause and simply want it to slow.
You only have one life to live and one chance on this wonderful earth.
So take a moment and think about your true impact since birth.
We’re not talking about the clock that you punch when you go to work each day.
Instead, take a look at people you meet that you could impact some way.
There’s no need to wear a cape, a shiny suit or have the power to fly.
You can simply be intentional and lift someone else up high.
Jesus sacrificed His life for us, so that we can not only live.
Rather, so we can be generous, to share and love and to give.
Share the news of His love for all that need to hear it.
Help create a better world, one with great hope and one with great spirit.
Hold a door, give a hug or even spend a dime.
Your action can be big or small, just simply make the time.
Be thoughtful with your actions and focus on others.
You might be surprised at the impact you make on our sisters and brothers.
Who’s life you have touched, who’s day you made, sometimes you might not know.
But if we all do our part, as we look towards others, the love will begin to grow.
If the actions we show are love and are pure and are true…
when we all pass it forward, imagine how much good it will actually do.
Think about those that touched your life to help make you who you are.
It might be a chat or simply giving you a chance, making the most impact by far.
We can all help someone in a similar way too.
Simply ask the Lord and He’ll show you what to do.
He knows your heart, He knows your skills and of course He knows desires.
By asking Him, He will make it clear and He’ll help you light those fires.
When our time is up on earth and your work here is done…
You can think back at your life and know that you’ve won!
You’ve won because you’ve spread His love and served a meaningful life.
Maybe you’ve helped some people greatly by helping reduce their strife.
By accepting the gift of the Lord as your one and only Savior…
We’ll spend our eternal time in Heaven as that becomes our favor.
To impact others and help them get to Heaven is the goal.
They accept God’s gift and He helps them pay the toll.
So use your gifts that God has given to influence someone, somehow.
You can impact the long term, but the world needs your impact now.
Amen.
By Joey Fahndrich
Grateful Ways.
Stop. Sit
Put down your phone.
Don’t keep moving.
Just be alone.
This is a time for you, in your own way,
to be grateful and reflect,
on the goodness in your day.
It is like coming up for air,
in the midst of all that we do,
to thank God for whatever you want to.
The simple act of saying, “Thank you”,
reminds us of the source,
of all the goodness around to review.
Some make lists,
others sing songs,
some speak it out loud,
while others are withdrawn.
Whatever your style,
however you do.
God of All Creation,
loves hearing from you!
Tell God why you are grateful
for all that you have.
It is not about things,
it’s simply that you are glad!
In our lives we accumulate so much stuff.
We often keep striving and straining to,
“Have enough”.
When your cup is full,
what more can you do?
Find those whose cup has space,
and overflow goodness from you.
Gratitude is often understood best,
when the source of your goodness flows freely flows from the heart in your chest.
God gives us a cheerfulness that perks up, that shares a sparkle with others,
when we help fill another’s cup.
We all know the saying,
“It’s better to give, than to receive.”
The real truth behind it is that
through these simple acts,
God smiles through thee.
When you help another in whatever you do,
the overflow of this act produces gratitude.
It is a feeling that most understand.
We experience this when someone else,
reaches out and extends us a hand.
It could be tiny moments that do not hit your feed, but they sure make your day special,
possibly helping another in need.
If everyone focused their time in this way,
God surely would love to hear all these stories of His children feeling grateful ways.
Amen.
By Jennifer Fahndrich
The Gift of December
We sprint the whole year through.
The Gift of December has special purpose for you.
We scroll. We drive. We text. We strive.
The Gift of December has refreshment for our lives.
We bake. We clean. We decorate. We make our trees gleam.
The Gift of December has a strength on which you can lean.
We ship. We online shop. We wrap a box.
The Gift of December has a newness only you can choose to unlock.
What is this Gift of December described?
Refreshment? Peace? Newness inside?
How do we open this gift to our lives?
The Gift of December, first laid in a manger.
The Holy Child, Jesus, the heart-changer!
The Gift from God was given to us for more than just the Christmas season.
The celebration is only part of the reason.
He came here, so you could be truly alive!
His eternal freedom is yours to decide!
The Gift of December is there for you!
Ask this Gift into your heart, if you want to.
His loving presence will make you new!
Amen.
By Jennifer Fahndrich
The Clothing Box
We all have special pieces that we’ve worn in life through, big and little moments that God pointed us to.
Some jerseys, some dresses, some suits, favorite jeans, things that were classy, or things we could never keep clean.
These things that we wore tell our story in someway; they comforted us when life felt mysterious and grey, or perhaps a favorite outfit we loved to wear when we played.
Some outfits are classy, and others are cute, but what they really were were a clothing frame to you.
They were there when you scored the game winning goal, and your team gathered and cheered, making your heart feel so full!
The first interview you had for the job that you loved, where you really didn’t have experience, but God opened the door wide, and gave you a smile and a nudge.
Then there are others that stand out so much just because it‘s the white dress you wore or the silk pocket square from the suit, when you married your true love!
Then there are outfits from things that once were so cool, you could not wait to put on and walk confidently through school.
Your favorite pieces, in a fun simple way, were like a cape that made you feel like a superhero inside, as you flew through your day.
The thing about clothing is that it’s a frame, to the unique moments in life that we live, and after, we are never the same!
It’s an experience that we value so much, where God illuminated a path, pointed the way, and gave it glory His through His God-given touch.
The source of the goodness in all of these days, is the One who made the person inside of the frame.
He made you!
He loves you!
He joyfully cheers you on!
They are moments of trust by living with faith from within, as you walk down the path God helped you begin.
And as we grow older, and then we look back, it’s important to remember the story experienced, from the light God shined on your path.
Tell those stories to loved ones, whomever they are. They may happen to be little versions of you, that someday will ask to drive your car.
Set those pieces aside in anticipation of the day, that help you tell your story God chose to lead you in His special ways.
The clothing you wear for these big and little things are worth keeping, and telling this story of your how God gave you life-wins.
These are memories, true, but there’s more to it though. What you’re actually telling them are stories of faith, that will help them in ways, you may never know!
That dress that you wore, the shirt from the game, those jeans that fit you a like a glove, and now would never fit the same?
It all is so special, because you were the character of it all! In the story of your life, these are the costume pieces of God’s storyline for you, even if the stage was the mall.
Not every piece has a story to tell, but the pieces that do, are the stories you know so well!
So make a clothing box, write the special moments on a note, put them all together, and on a special day gather, and let your story be retold.
We don’t live forever, so take the time to please share, the story of the moment God that designed for you, that showed you He cares.
The source of the goodness in all of these days is the One who made the person inside of the clothing frame.
God as your designer is truly amazed! His love story for you is woven through the fabric of the details of your life as you followed His ways.
Amen.
By Jennifer Fahndrich
Sabbath.
God made the heavens and the earth.
God made all creatures who roamed first.
On the seventh day, as shared in Genesis 2:3, God declared this day holy.
Holy means to be set apart.
God took a day to rest.
We too, can follow suit.
Enjoy His wonderful works of art!
Enjoy a nap and take a rest, so that the other days of the week, you will be at your best!
Eat a great meal with those you love!
When you do, God smiles from above!
Take a break from your daily work.
God did this.
We can follow the example that He did first!
Work will still be there for you to do.
God will bless your efforts on the other days and help you through!
Spend time with God and enjoy His land.
The sabbath is actually one of the ten commands!
Amen.
By Jennifer Fahndrich
Thrive.
What is the purpose of being baptized?
I go underwater and then I arise?
The Bible tells you the truth, for it is to show everyone that you heart has been set free!
You’ve made a decision to follow, Jesus Christ, God’s One and Only Son.
It is a gift that can never be undone!
Your heart is now different because you believed. You have given away your sin and in exchange, the Holy Spirit you’ve received!
Like a wedding that everyone then can attend, a baptism is a place for you to honor this decision to be forever united with your Holy Best Friend!
The symbolism of water refreshing your life, when dying to self and receiving God’s Spirit inside.
It’s cleansing!
It’s freeing!
It tells everyone, that you will live in heaven forever with God and His Son!
The gift of the Holy Spirit has been given to thee! Because of the perfect life of Jesus, this allows us to receive and be free!
We do not walk this earth alone.
The Holy Spirit lives in your heart as it’s forever home!
When your time on earth is then complete, God’s angels will guide you to heaven, because your spirit is redeemed!
You no longer live in darkness!
You do not live in sin!
You’ve made this eternal decision and traded it for the goodness in Him!
As you continue to walk this world on God’s earth, your adventure begins because you’ve chosen Him first!
Collaborate with God in all that you do!
Ask Him for His will and He will always see you through!
He will use you to help others to find victory.
Just tell them your story of how Jesus set you free!
You do not have to have it all figured out!
This adventure is yours with the Lord!
Make His love what you are all about!
What is the purpose of being baptized?
You were dead in your sin, and now you are forever alive!
You are changed!
With the Holy Spirit, you will thrive!
Amen.
By Jennifer Fahndrich
Fame.
Glory shines from up above.
It fills our empty souls with love.
It reminds us He is Deity.
We are not, but Jesus set us free!
He helps us know our purpose made.
He gives us joy within our days.
He helps us in everything that we do.
It is through Him, we will be true.
We’re not here for our own fame.
Rather, only to point to Jesus name.
Remind ourselves this truth each day,
Bring glory to the Lord, in your own way.
Do not make it about you.
Blessings come if you push on through.
Help Him feel the love you have, by showing His glory as you walk His land.
Make Him glad by choices had.
Help others choose goodness in what they do, by celebrating others’ purpose too!
Remind them truths the Bible says, and help them feel the love He has.
Let your purpose here on earth, fulfill God’s purpose for you first.
Release all things you think and have.
Trade them for what makes Him glad.
Capture purpose on this land, by giving up your worldly plans.
Refresh in Jesus, God‘s only Son.
Always remember the gift that He got done.
Release your hurts and burdens too. Replace them with His goodness shining through you.
God is great. God is good.
He helps us do the things we should.
Glorify Him for His name.
The world gives less.
Give Him your fame.
Amen.
By Jennifer Fahndrich
Explore.
The world is yours, so go explore.
God made it for you to give us more.
He wants your life filled with many things.
Give your heart to Him and to Him sing.
Be a warrior or shout with glee!
God did not give us a spirit of fear or timidity.
You have His blessings as you go.
Journey with him and through the Bible He’ll teach you so.
A life of boredom, it is not!
It’s a wild adventure as you fill your spot.
He knows you so well, yes, it’s true!
He sent His only Son to die for you.
Live this life with joy as God’s great gift!
If you need His help, He’ll give you a lift.
Journey far and tell the tale!
It was he who gave Jonah the story of being swallowed up inside a whale.
Live your life with many days!
Let God bless you in many ways!
Tell him your hopes and dreams galore
He’ll journey with you And make life more!
Run and dance create, and give!
We only have one life to live!
Do it right, don’t live in fear!
God is alive and he’s always near!
So go have fun and live your days!
He’ll adventure with you in many ways!
He made you and loves you so!
Explore this world with God you’ll grow!
Amen.
By Jennifer Fahndrich
Go.
A little effort here.
A little effort there.
Coupled with God’s blessing, you can go anywhere!
There’s opportunity ahead, when you give it all to God.
Counter to our culture of control, He is truly the one you can rely on.
You don’t have to bear your burden.
You can give it all to Him!
The reality of your faith is essential in your journey to win!
Use your talents and your interest for who He made you to be.
It is not complicated to the One who made all the oceans and the seas.
What you may stress about, has already been figured out.
God wants all His children to give Him a shout!
God wants to be involved in the decisions that you make.
Your prayers align with God divine, He’ll whisper what next steps to take.
You still do hard work and preparation.
You are still a part of a team.
God wants us to use for His communication, working with others to fulfill dreams.
The key thing about it that everyone should know. A consistent in theme in the Bible is: God will tell you where to go.
Amen.
By Jennifer Fahndrich
