Make A Difference Day

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

‭‭Galatians 6:9-10

Via TJC

Created in 1992 by USA Weekend magazine, Make A Difference Day is held on the fourth Saturday of October.  It was designed as a day for grassroots community service and to help your neighbor.  

This is actually a convicting DBO for me to write.  It hurts my heart.  For 48 years I did not know Jesus, and even after I was saved I lacked discipleship and guidance for at least another three years.  Looking back, I was often “That Guy” described in Galatians 5:20. 

Outbursts of anger, envy, drunkenness, carousing, disputes.  Large and in charge, loud and proud.  Slow to listen, quick to speak, quick to anger… total opposite of James 1:19. 

I can remember the day the Holy Spirit just crushed my heart and shook me to my core.  It was a hot summer day in a county clerks office in Florida as I had just moved from Georgia and there was a requirement for a large cash deposit, in person, to open your water/sewage account.  It was a very long line and the visual is two clerks that make the Sloth Staff at the DMV in Zootopia look fast.  15 minutes into the ordeal, ten folks deep and folks near the front start with very angry tones and course language.  I get my nose out of my phone and see a little girl, no more than 17 or 18, in tears, with a sweaty baby wearing only a dirty diaper on her hip.  She was mortified, shaking in fear, as the clerk loudly explained she would not accept the payment card offered because it was in her boyfriends name.  Her water would remain cut off until the boyfriend came in, or she paid with cash.  The darkness in the line turned into overt name calling with the eye rolling. 

All I could see…. Was my daughter.  His daughter.  Perfectly made, wonderfully unique, being humiliated, scared, in front of a mob with a cynical civil servant who lacked empathy or assistance.  

I walked forward, to cat calls about getting back to the end of line, stood beside the young lady and simply said, “How much?”  The clerk just looked at me speechless.  “How much to pay in full?  I have the cash….”   Hands shaking, the clerk took my money, completed the transaction for the young lady and under her breath shaking her head said “… I’ve never seen something like that in 30 years….”

I walked the young lady to her car, it was clear what a tough situation she was in.  I told her to use her boyfriends card to get diapers and formula, and gave her the rest of the cash, and said to one day in the future pay it forward. 

With my heart now tender, I started to see other opportunities to make a difference.  The mother in line at the grocery having to put items back when the total was more than the cash in hand.  Showing up with a chain saw and truck when limbs as thick as my thighs fell during a storm.  Sending hand written notes to employees for births, and deaths. Prayers of encouragement as well as comfort.

Daily Battle Order

Wake up and pray for the Holy Spirit to give you eyes to see Him, ears to hear Him, a mind to know Him, a heart to love Him, and then open hands to serve Him.  Opportunities will present themselves.  Make a difference each and every day.