Li-tea-ra-ture

The view from our hotel room–Indianapolis at dusk

Tom and I have just come back from the International Gideons Convention that was held in Indianapolis, Indiana. People were there from over 90 countries from around the world. One of the things I love about convention is meeting and getting to know folks from countries that are so different from my own—and hearing of the difficulties many are facing with faith, courage, and perseverance.

As I listened to how God is working, especially in countries where it is hard and even dangerous, to be a Christian, it made me uncomfortable and sometimes ashamed to be a Christian in America. I thought of Luke 12:48: “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” I have been given so much and was reminded of my responsibility!

In my last blog, I shared my experience of packing food aid for Syrian refugees. The prayer of my heart is that I will be more mindful of the ways I can make a difference for the Lord and for this hurting world. I don’t ever want to take for granted how much I have been blessed. With that in mind, here are just a few of my recent blessings:

• Hosting Jean Marc, a gentleman from France for two nights in our home and getting to know him
  

  Tom and Me with Jean Marc

• Having more food available than I could possibly want or eat
• The availability of fresh, clean water to drink
• Being in air-conditioning, protected from the dangerous and excessive heat we were experiencing
• The view from our hotel room
• Having dinner with Glen, our new friend from Jamaica
• Celebrating the two-year-anniversary of my miraculous healing (July 24)
• The hospitality of Tom’s sister and her husband, Barb and Roy
• The beauty and peacefulness of their home on a lake
• That I was able to do these things freely and without fear of attack or fear for my safety

I could bore you by going on and on, but I think you get the picture. I am especially thankful for the blessing of refreshment this time away offered me. And now, it’s time to get back to work to change the world in whatever way I can from my humble home in Pennsylvania.

The most important thing I can do is to treat everyone I meet with love and respect, no matter who they are, no matter their circumstances, no matter their beliefs. If we all acted this way in our own corner of the world, we would make a difference. Smiles and love ARE contagious! Will you join me in doing this?