Sunday, March 25, 2012

One CAN Make A Difference!

be the change you wish to see.... The Shine Project

For a few months now I feel God has put something in my heart to somehow giveback to the community, but I was never sure just what. I prayed about it a lot. A few weeks ago I was sitting in church reading the bulletin and something just jumped out to me. It was called "A Heart for the Hungry". Our church's food pantry was empty. The pantry that used to feed hundreds of families, now, there’s a sign on the door that says “Sorry, there are no food bags available at this time.”

That was it! That’s what my heart wanted to do. Fill those pantry shelves until they’re overflowing! Could I do this alone? No. I need help. The biggest question was could I break out of my comfort zone of the quite one and become a leader? Yes, but only with God's guidance.

I had this idea of having a table set up in front of a local grocery store collecting non-perishable food donations. Then the idea grew to having one specific day and time where each grocery store in our city {all 5} would have a team of volunteers out front hosting a food drive. The thoughts went through my head... Could I pull this off? Can I find volunteers? Will people donate?

YES to every single question. We were approved for 4 of the 5 grocery stores since one already booked for the day. Then out of the blue, I get the call the other party cancelled and we have their spot. We have all 5!

Volunteers? I created a Facebook event page which went live just yesterday and volunteers have been coming out of the woodwork. People I don't even know asking to help. I have a team of people set up already for each location!


We needed the collection bins. The church two had but we needed at least three more. When I went shopping for them, found out they were $50 a piece. Ouch! That same day I received a call from a couple from our bible study, they had found 10 at a second had store for $1 each. What!? You better believe we bought them all!
I sit here today in aw. Every single obstacle that was set in front of me, God removed the barrier.

As for the donation part, we'll just have to wait and see. With what God has provided so far, I can't even fathom what He has in store. Our event is this Saturday. I ask for prayers. Prayers of encouragement and hope, that people will start a transformation from their old ways, and start a new. Putting others before themselves. We can't get discouraged. We can make a difference one person at a time.

I recall an synonym for the word JOY.
How to be joyful was to put these in this order:
Jesus, then Others, then You.

Jesus should be first in our lives no matter what.
He is our perfect example of how to live our lives.
That is the very definition of being a Christian.
Paul tells us at the beginning of Romans 15 this very thing.
We out to put other ahead ourselves; in doing so we will be emulating the actions of Jesus.


Let's SHINE!



18 comments:

  1. This is wonderful!!! well done to you, it warms my heart reading this.
    am your newest follower, have a lovely Sunday
    jutta

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  2. I love the J-O-Y acronym you listed. So true. Despite how the world continually pushes the "me-first" mentality…I have learned that the only way to truly be happy is to cling to Jesus, sacrifice for others … being emptied again and again so that He can do the refilling. I am so excited to see what the Lord does through this drive! Abundantly more than we can think or imagine!

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  3. That's great what you have accomplished bet you feel great you can feed the hungry now.

    Have a peaceful Sunday.

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  4. So good! My mom made me a decoration for my room using J-O-Y (I was 8 and really struggling with the concept) its so powerful after so simple to remember!! Thanks for sharing!!

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  5. Laura, that is so wonderful! I found you via the strolling blog hop and feel that I really go some inspiration from your page. You'll have to update us on how it all went. I am sure it went wonderfully.

    I too really like the acronym you shared for JOY.

    If you want to follow back, I'm at:

    http://mindovermattersc.blogspot.com/2012/03/100-days-till-summer.html

    All the best!

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  6. Newest follower from the Sunday Blog Hop :)

    I love your blog! Can't wait to keep reading along!

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  7. Love everything you had to say Laura. You are so sweet for putting others before you. But so true, Jesus is always first :) I'm praying that you have a smooth event, but I'm sure God will make sure everything is fine.

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  8. oh my goodness i couldnt have said this better myself! xo thank you for sharing!

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  9. I love that J-O-Y acronym, it just says everything you need to know. I wish you the best of luck with your food drive. I'm praying that everyone gives what they can and its a HUGE success. God is on your side. x

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  10. Laura, this is so inspirational!! I will be praying for you and the other's for Saturday.

    Thank you for sharing the JOY acronym. I will be using that in our home :)

    Blessings,
    Tory

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  11. Congratulations on taking a leap. Wonderful how things are falling into place. Can't wait to hear the results when all is said and done.

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  12. Wow, Laura, this is absolutely wonderful! My reading during my prayer time this morning is "Nothing will be impossible for God!" and I'm claiming it for you! This reminds me of when God told me to go to the jail and preach His word. I cried because I thought that would be impossible! But His word has been preached in the QC Jail for 3 years now and He has provided even for giving generous gift bags to 300 prisoners every Christmas! It is amazing when we step out in faith! Patsy from
    HeARTworks

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  13. That is so amazing and wonderful what you are doing! SHINE girl!!!

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  14. Isn't is wonderful to see the Lord work when we are in His will! I'm praying that He will continue to guide you and bless your efforts!

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  15. This got me all teary just reading this. Good for you for doing something so amazing and wonderful - something for others. YOu are going to help so many people! Good luck with the food drive.
    STopping by from the hop -
    Leigh @oneandoneequalstwinfun.com

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  16. Fabulous! Indeed let's shine!!! You have a beautiful blog...super thrilled to have found it. I am your newest follower. Look forward to visiting again soon.

    Tami
    http://www.thethingswefindinside.com/

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  17. Hi there! I found you over on the blog hop and I'm happily following you. I really like the J.O.Y acronym....something I'm putting in my back pocket to remember :-)

    I'd love for you to come check me out too.

    Take care,
    Jen
    sunnyvanilla.blogspot.com

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  18. Love. Love. Love. There is no greater feeling that one of that of being called to help others! Recently in southern Indiana, a small town was destroyed by a tornado. My heart hurt for families and being a mother myself I knew I needed to help -- I cleaned out several items from my stockpile and donated them to the Red Cross.

    New followers -- check us out! www.highheelsandhotdeals.com

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