“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?’
“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 25:35-40
It isn’t our job to save people…but it is our responsibility to love people. Without judgement {Matthew 7:1}.
My dear friend and mentor told me recently, “Janelle, love is messy…look at all the examples in the bible!”
And so I did.
- Jesus died on the cross for all of mankind {Matthew 27:45-56}
- Jesus sought Zacchaeus {Luke 19:1-10}
- Jesus talked with the Samaritan woman at the well {John 4:1-29}
- Jesus ate with tax collectors {Matthew 9:10}
- Jesus’s grace with Mary Magdalene, a woman-sinner-and faithful servant of Christ, who washed his feet with her hair. {Luke 8:1-3}
When I think about all of these examples Jesus lived out, I can’t help but beg to see what he sees.
Am I missing anyone, Lord?
Is there someone who needs a smile, hug, or encouragement today? How about a meal?
Anyone….anyone. It doesn’t matter who.
I can handle the messiest situations and love anyone….with your grace.
He bestowed his grace, love, and protection on me….someone showed me that same love. I was lost too. Someone took the time from her circle of friends to include me. I can’t imagine how different my life would have been had she not?
That’s the neat thing about my life….that I got to experience the difference. I will never forget that and will use it as my second greatest strength next to Yours.
Ladies, I ask that you dig deep into the words of the song below and to pray to be the eyes, heart and arms of Jesus…remembering that the King will say “whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did for me.”
Give Me Your Eyes
By: Brandon Heath
Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight
Touched down on the cold black tar
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breathe in the familiar shock
Of confusion
And chaos
All those people goin’ somewhere
Why have I never cared?
Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity
Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what’s underneath
There’s a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He’s out of work, he’s buyin’ time
All those people goin’ somewhere
Why have I never cared?
Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity
Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
I’ve been there a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just move and pass me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
Well I want a second glance
So give me a second chance
To see the way You’ve seen the people all along
Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity
Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Give me Your Eyes (Give me Your eyes for just one second)
Lord, give me Your eyes (Give me Your eyes so I can see)
Everything (Everything that I keep missing)
That I keep missing
Give me Your heart (Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted)
For the broken hearted (The ones that are far beyond my reach)
Give me Your heart (Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten)
Lord, give me Your eyes (Give me Your eyes so I can see)
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Who will you uniquely love today? Be crazy about it….
This is beautiful! Thanks for sharing your heart. I love your blog! It’s inspiring! And I need A LOT of inspiration when it comes to cooking. 😉
Thank you Lilah 🙂 And, you have come to the right place 😉
Beautifully written. I have always loved that Brandon Heath song! I’ve been trying to me more intentional the last few years and look for people that need help. I want my kids to get it. I made your macaroni and cheese earlier in the week. It always turns out. I’d love to replace the velveeta, to something healthier/real, but I’ve yet to find anything. If you ever find a good replacement, let me know. I only make it once every other month, so maybe it can just stay as is and be a treat. 🙂
Does he have a CD? I love, love that song. Thank you for bringing it to us!! We love u!
Absolutely beautiful Janelle…thank you for sharing. God bless all of those who have taken that challenge to be the heart, hands, feet, eyes and ears of God on this earth.
Beautiful!! Thanks so much!
This should be our pray every day!! Oh Lord please use us in the expansion of your Kingdom!!
Thank you for all that you do for your readers.
You are a blessing. I know it’s crazy with little ones, and a husband, and a home, and friends, and church, and…
…but you are serving others and making a difference.
Take care.
Thank you so much for that Michelle 🙂 Life is busy, but never too busy for God-He truly comes first. It’s a blessing to serve him and you!
Thank you. I really needed that hug, smile and encouragement. Thank you for this
😉 God bless you Ann….