September 2012

GraceTouch

Facilitating global impact

 
Greetings!

We rejoice at Jesus' assurance that even a cup of cold water given in His name brings His reward. May you be blessed as you continue to serve Him.

Prompt Caring

  

 

      by Cindy Bushen

 

Sue was standing at the door when I answered it. On Sunday she had heard that we were taking the nine-hour trip to my in-laws house that week. She figured with packing and all, I wouldn't have time to bake, so she was delivering a fresh-baked batch of cookies for us to enjoy on the way. Sue was right about the time. I was racing around doing laundry and sorting things to take, but seeing her with a container of cookies in her hand-for me!-was a joy.

 

 I don't remember the kind of cookies or how fancy the container was, but after nearly 30 years it still warms my heart as I think about it. I didn't even know that Sue knew where I lived, and I was certainly capable of baking cookies. But she said that God had brought me to her mind that day and she wanted to help me out in some small way. Amazing how her small thing touched me in such a big way!

 

Over the years I've attempted to model Sue's example and listen to God's quiet prompting. The exciting thing is that God wants to use me to deliver His blessing, no matter how small and simple the delivery process is. On top of that, a reward is awaiting me for providing a simple cup of water in Christ's name to anyone who asks (Mark 9:41).

 

Responding to a prompting takes many forms. Sending notes or flowers of encouragement is one of the most common, but impromptu ideas can often be easily done and are fun for you as well as the recipient. Ideas are can be as creative as you make them, but here are a few suggestions to get your creative thoughts flowing:

  • Greeting an elderly lady friend with emery board and polish for a chatty manicure
  • Decorating the hospital walls of a patient with a theme they enjoy.
  • Taking a "tea party" to a discouraged friend. Fill a basket with everything to make a party.
  • Deliver the leftover piece of pie or apple dumpling to a single friend or neighbor.
  • Cut the first daffodils or peonies to take to a shut-in or nursing home resident.
  • Gather a couple ladies to piece together baby quilts for new mothers.
  • Give hugs, when prompted, even if you are not a hugger.

Be open to recognize the opportunities God puts in front of you, be willing to put into action what is laid on your heart to do, and be ready to receive the joy that comes from serving Christ.

Beautiful You
 

An event for teen girls
Beautiful You   

SMM and Girls of Faith sleep-over events seek to touch the hearts of teenage girls and connect them to God's truth in a way that is uniquely feminine. This year's theme is "Beautiful You," focusing on the importance of grasping how unique we are and recognizing how beautiful and special we are to God. The events will include times of praise and worship, times of discussion and interaction, and time to work on projects and get to know other girls. The first event is planned for Winona Lake October 26-27. For more information or to host an event in your area, contact Nicole Miller.

PrayerWatch partnership
 
Praying for family relationships 

Do you know of any familial disputes? Pray the peace of Christ to rule-for salvation to come so that households can be saved. What is your role as a minister of reconciliation?  

Mark your calendar
 

Here are some events you might want to be a part of. Click the links for more information:
Practical caring
 

Caring takes many forms 
It is shown in small gifts or actions that are seen by the recipients. But equally important is the caring that happens behind the scenes, when neither the giver nor the receiver knows one another. Scholarships are like that: a person with a need is helped with a gift given previously by an unknown donor. Women of Grace would like to have scholarship funds available for women who want to attend a Women's Summit or Leadership Studies class but are not financially able to do so. If God prompts you to provide a behind-the-scenes blessing to a worthy recipient, you may donate to Scholarships for Equipping Women. Thank you for caring. 
From Faking It to Finding Grace by Connie Cavanaugh
 

Review by Christy Carmean    
 
How do you get out of spiritual dryness? And what lessons can you learn along the way? Read the review           

 

 

What's going on?
 
with Women of Grace USA 

Check our Facebook page to see some of what God's been doing among women through Women of Grace USA.

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