|
From: Mary Zimmerman
Winona
I know I am somebody because God doesn’t make nobodies. I don’t pretend to be better than anyone, but on the other hand, I’m as good as anyone else, at least in God’s eyes. Somehow we all need to have that kind of image of ourselves.
I hope the readers who don’t know me don’t judge me to have wings and wear a halo. I’m sure those who do know me realize that’s not the case. I do believe in and love God very much but I struggle with sin like the rest of you. I don’t like that part of me but I have learned (as I walk the road of life) more and more to trust in God’s mercy if I was to move beyond insisting on looking back pondering and wallowing in my past sins and transgressions. I’ll provide God with enough evidence as well that I am sincere in walking my road of life, forging ahead to my eternal home with His grace and encouragement from those walking by my side.
I feel such a need to share the gospel of God’s love and mercy to the whole world. It seems to me the world has its priorities a bit mixed up as to what’s going to really count in the end. Actually you leave all your possessions behind and only claim what you have forwarded ahead of time - kind deeds, etc. I don’t believe the works of mercy would be mentioned so often from the churches if they weren’t so very important. When we meet God face to face and He says, “I was hungry, you gave me no food,” we answer, “When Lord did we see you hungry?” God will answer, “You knew it, you saw it on the daily news, then I sent you letters to remind you, but no, you just wanted to make sure you kept your own bellies full as I starved. As long as you do it to the least of my brothers you did it to me.”
I feel a real need to help the poor. Yes, I believe charity begins at home with one’s family. It may be food, but I believe more than likely it’s just love, prayers, and a forgiving heart.
It’s most important to focus on the commandment to love you neighbor as yourself, see that he has the necessities of life as well. I don’t want a lot of fancy clothes and other nice things if my neighbor doesn’t even have food. That in return helps you love yourself. That is the secret to surviving the knocks and blows of life. If we put others first, including putting God’s holy will above our own, that’s the key to happiness in this world, but most especially in the next.
It is my hope and desire that I’m traveling the right road. I desire that all be saved. Maybe some think I should mind my own business. I think trying to help save souls is every Christian’s responsibility and surely God’s will. That’s the spiritual works of mercy.
Once more let’s recall the corporal works of mercy. I was hungry, you gave me food, thirsty - water, naked- clothes, now come to my heavenly banquet.
|
