Highlights from HomePlace... Susan Clark
Director of HomePlace
In 1982 Anne Herbert coined a phrase after writing it on a placemat in a restaurant
located in Sausalito, CA. Since then, the phrase has snowballed into an international
movement that has no political, religious or commercial affiliation. February 17 is the
day set aside every year in recognition of this movement. RAoK also known as Random
Acts of Kindness is celebrated by young and old to prove how the simplicity of a kind gesture
or word can change a life. Examples of these random acts can vary from a smile followed
by “I hope you have a great day” to paying for a stranger’s meal. Research has
shown that the very act of doing something nice for someone releases endorphins into
our system which produces a chemical high much greater than someone doing something
unexpected for us.
RAoK has been around for a very, very long time. I think it was Jesus who coined
the phrase when Paul quoted Him in Acts 20:35… “I’ve left you an example of how you
should serve and take care of those who are weak. For we must always cherish the words
of our Lord Jesus, who taught, ‘Giving brings a far greater blessing than receiving.’” God
knew that we feel better about ourselves when we do for and give to others. He just
didn’t use the words “endorphins” and “chemical high.”
One of the most exciting yet humbling experiences of HomePlace Ministry is to have
the opportunity to see the Heart of God operating through the ministers of the Body of
Christ. I am not referring to the person behind the pulpit but to each one of you who
have been obedient to what God has asked you to do. It is amazing to be on the receiving
end of people who not only read the Word of God but walk it out in ways that please
their Father’s heart. Your giving is an extension of yourself that creates and builds lasting
relationships with HomePlace even if you never come face to face with any of our families.
However, I bet you have and didn’t even know it.
Just in the last month, HomePlace received beautiful homemade quilts for their
families. They also received a bountiful supply of diapers and wipes in addition to Bibles,
devotionals and gift cards. The random gift of interview clothes as well as children coat’s
were well received. These are the acts of kindness that you do to help support the modern
day widow and orphan… Homeless mothers and their children. Someone once said,
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” On
behalf of Homeplace, may I present to you the gift of gratitude…I acknowledge your giving
with a heart full of thankfulness and love.
On the flip side of the coin, we encourage the families themselves to be a part of
giving and not just receiving. This month, the mothers of HomePlace met together and
filled 50 boxes for Operation Christmas Child. The joy of doing for others filled the room
and their hearts….a lot of endorphins in the room that night. But as we all know, it was
the presence of a Giving God Himself participating in something that pleased His heart.
James 2:1417
says “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have
faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without
clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well
fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith
by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
There are so many beautiful reasons to be thankful and grateful. Giving thanks is
the way we acknowledge God’s presence and give Him glory. Thank you for your part in
HomePlace’s journey of gratitude.
HomePlace is a transional living ministry that offers
compassionate care to women and their children
who are homeless due to difficult life circumstances.
The goal of HomePlace is to help families
obtain the skills needed to move from
dependence and despair to a future of
selfsufficiency
and hope through Christ.
For more informaon on the HomePlace
ministry, call 318.343.2244
or email peggy@lbch.org
HomeNews - November 2019 • PAGE 7
Thankful
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