“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’”
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’”
“Then the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
~Matthew 25:34-40
Today was my last day as a Case Manager at The Resource Center. For the last year I have worked with people in a sheltered Work center who struggle with mental health. It has been a challenge and a joy. I took the job for selfish reasons, I needed a job. But God took my selfishness and turned it into something good. He has given me opportunities to share His love with this lost and hurting world. I have learned more of who He is through my job and through caring for the hurting and the sick. I’ve learned what it truly means to love like Christ calls us to love.
As I look back on the last 13 months, I just pray that I have made even a small difference in the lives of the people I worked with. I know I was not always the most patient or probably the kindest. I just pray that I was able to make a difference. I pray that they could see Jesus in me.
It breaks my heart to leave them. I know that my role was to plant the seed in their lives and trust that God WILL place other people in their lives to help the seed grow.
They taught me what it means to love like Christ calls us to love…. and for that I will always be thankful.
Anneli
I know it's hard leaving the familiar and moving on to something new...in my career as a Navy wife, I did it MANY times! But I really believe God is just going to knock your socks off as you venture out on this new season of your life! What an exciting adventure for HIS glory!!! And before you know it, we'll be meeting up in Guangzhou! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tara for this reminder! I know change is difficult, although I'm learning to embrace it. I am SO excited for this next chapter of my life, but leaving my old one is hard too.
ReplyDeleteAny idea when you'll be in Guangzhou? I'm really hoping it wont be in August becuase I will be back in the states for a wedding then.
Thanks for all your encouragement and love!
Blessings,
Anneli