I think I have a tapeworm.  I have been hungry for the last several days and nothing seems to satisfy.  Maybe I’m going through a growing spurt and am going to come out of this a couple inches taller in the next few days.  Just think, if I added a couple of inches to my height my weight would finally be perfect!

Have you ever felt that way spiritually?  You are starving for something more and no matter how much you read your Bible or pray, you just seem to be left wanting?  There are times in our lives that we seem to be more restless than others.  Do you agree?  What do you do to help feed the hunger pains of maintaining a consistent walk with Christ?  Do you just ignore them or do you push through trying to find the missing nutrients in your diet?  Do you have a spiritual tapeworm that is pulling you away from the full life God wants you to have?  Experts agree, a healthy life isn’t all about diet…it also involves exercise.

I am an independent woman and hate to ask anyone for help.  However, this house has taken me to the point of swallowing my pride and accepting someone’s help to get things done.  I tried to put a positive spin on things and said, “Paint party at the Kempton house this weekend!”  However, I was really saying, “We need help and it needs to free!”  We were blessed to have our son-in-law, Bryan, come help me with much needed lawn work.  Then a friend from church, Jason, and our two sons, Rob and Cristofer came and donated some time for the painting we needed to complete on a deadline.  Because of their help, we now have carpet-layers finishing the basement…right on schedule.

There are times in our lives that we simply can’t do it on our own.  We need to surround ourselves with others who will come alongside and help us get things done.  However, I think the most effective way to get yourself back on track and feel “full” again is to go do something for someone else.  Jim and I were truly blessed by everyone’s help this week.  I suspect that those who came and helped a bit to get us through a pinch, received an even greater blessing.  There is something about serving others that fills us up to overflowing.

How God calls us to serve is not always glamorous.  Sometimes, we don’t even get a thank-you for a job well done!  But one thing is for sure…we are called to serve.  It may be by giving of our time, talents, or possessions.  You might say, “Lori, I just don’t have anything to give.”  I would beg to argue with you.  We each have something, we just need to ask God how He can use us to bless others.  I’m thankful that He sent us Bryan, Rob, Cristofer and Jason this week.  They were an answer to our prayers.  I suspect though that it doesn’t stop there.  This hunger I’m feeling might just be telling me that I need to get my head out of the refrigerator and get moving.  He’s whispering…it might not be all about what you’re eating…perhaps you need to get out and exercise your faith a little.  How can I serve to be a blessing to someone else?  For when I am serving others–doing what God has sent me to do–I am full.  Man may not thank me or be thankful, but God is pleased for a job well done.

What is God asking you to do this week?  Actions can be way more powerful than words…even the simplest ones.  I pray that as you step out and do that which you are designed to do, you are blessed abundantly and fully satisfied in the Lord!  Have a great week and go be a blessing!

1Peter 4:10-11 (NIV)  Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.