In This Very Room

Last Monday, January 8th, in this very room pictured here, fifty members of our team that is made up of paid and volunteer staff enjoyed our Team Appreciation Luncheon at Maggiano’s Restaurant in Austin.

OUR TEAM is comprised of devoted, relentless, and selfless individuals who believe it is “more blessed to give than receive”. However, “receiving” is a given – when we give!

I was honored to be asked to give the opening prayer:
“Our Loving and Most Gracious Heavenly Father. First, on behalf of this room full of devoted and dedicated employees and volunteers of St Vincent de Paul Family Center, we THANK YOU for showing us what giving looks like. “For God so loved the world that He GAVE, and you gave BIG TIME. You gave us YOUR Son and when we believe in Him, we will have everlasting life.

We have come together in honor of some of your beloved children, those who are and have been loyal and devoted employees and volunteers at the family center. It has not gone unnoticed by You and by those of us who give of ourselves when we are serving.

Thank you for the comradery, the compassion and respect we give in our serving and in the honor of being your hands and feet to those who enter our store, and who serve so willingly.

I know you must be saying to us: “Well done, good and faithful servants. Enter the joys of the Lord.” Thank you for this team of loyal, dependable, gracious, and kind people who believe that serving others is worthwhile. Thank you for the opportunity to be an example of your grace and love each day. May we continue to be YOUR hands extended. Through Christ our Lord we Pray. Amen.”

I sensed I should share those words today to convey what serving looks like. I wish you could have heard the testimonies of those who volunteer their time at the family center and how their lives have been enriched by giving their time and energy.

Every Saturday a large box of food is given to over 900 families. No questions asked. It is a sight to behold. We heard stories shared about how a volunteer started out working a couple of hours a week to now serving almost every day of the week. Everyone in attendance expressed the blessing of serving.

Why am I sharing this word today? Because I have learned the joys of giving of myself in this season of life when I could be “chilling’” in my recliner – reading, sleeping, watching TV, and not seizing the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Won’t you consider getting out of YOUR comfort zone to give of yourself in some capacity that makes the difference in other people’s lives. Jesus showed us how to serve.

Jesus, the Son of God, Lord of Lords, never placed Himself in a position above others. He led and loved by serving. He washed feet. He fed thousands. He walked to visit and heal the sick and dead. He spent time with those no one else cared to spend time with.

Jesus was led by the Spirit of God and followed His promptings to serve, love, and help others. How could we do less?