Christ has no hands and feet here on this earth.
He has us.
We are called to serve one another. He has us to do good and bless others. He has us so His compassion and love can flow through us and be visible to those who need it.
There are times when something happens and you just have to stop and know that it was completely a God thing. I had one of those moments not long ago. I have been in a bit of a, what I would call, not a great season. Seems one difficult thing after another has been happening. (Now before I continue, I have to mention that I am not one to take to social media and spell out the details of my struggles. So this person I’m about to tell you about didn’t hear me complaining or know what I had been going through.)
In the mail one day comes a little package for me. The name is familiar. A customer of mine. I wonder why she would be sending me something? I open a beautiful, heartfelt, handwritten letter and two beautiful sand dollars with a story. Without her knowing, those words felt like they were Jesus speaking right to me.
Uplifting me. Encouraging me. Seeing me. Loving me. Right when I needed it most. Out of the blue, from someone I have never met, words I needed to hear. She was God’s hands and feet, reaching out in compassion to someone in need.
Listen to His nudge. Be ready and willing. You may see a need and act on it or you may feel led that someone needs help. Even if it means you have to go out of your comfort zone to do it, put aside your hesitation and let Him lead you.
It may look different for each of us. We don’t need to travel great distances or raise millions of dollars or be huge and loud. We may not think about it much because we are busy and worried about our own stuff or we may think someone else will do it. But He needs us. He needs each of us to reach out to help others with big needs and little needs. Matthew 9 reminds us that He needs more workers.
He needs us to be His hands and feet in this world.
So even though you may not think you can do enough, remember you very well may be the answer to a prayer. You very well may be the hands and feet of Jesus in someone’s life. Just like my experience. Of course, I emailed her right away to thank her and tell her that the timing of her words was perfect, but she couldn’t understand what it really meant to me. She couldn’t understand when she was doing it that she was His way of reaching out to me because I needed that.
May we strive for a heart like His here on earth.
In what ways can we serve as the hands and feet of Jesus?
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I’m trying to be more sensitive to the Spirit’s promptings. Thank you for demonstrating the need for this by sharing your own wonderful experience as a recipient of grace.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Michele. I am also trying to be more sensitive to those promptings!
Jennifer,
Like you said, “Don’t ignore the nudge.” God has His reasons and His timing. I don’t think I’ve ever sent a hand-written note, or mailed a little pick me up gift in the mail and had someone respond, “What on earth did you do that for?” No, overwhelmingly there has been gratitude because we are ALL going through stuff. Some of it is big stuff….some of it small. Regardless, we all need to know that someone, other than God, is thinking about us and lifting us in prayer and cares enough to offer a simple gesture of kindness. I know how much it means to me when others do that and so I know that whatever I do will most likely be met with a grateful heart. It’s the little kindnesses that say to others, “You are important and you are loved.” Praying for you Jennifer in this season. May God give you peace,, comfort , and perseverance and lift you up as you lift others up.
Blessings to you,
Bev xx ((Hugs))
Those little kindnesses really do mean so much, don’t they, Bev. I love hearing that you send out those gestures of kindness and love. So grateful for your prayers. Thank you.
What a lesson you both have shared! I’m going to try to be more open to the nudges of kindness reaching out in friendship.
Love to hear you are going to be looking out for those nudges, Jas!
I love this, the hands and feet of Jesus. I am working on staying clear & present so I can deliver as well as receive. It is so miraculous when we receive and when we give and what the presents the message provides. The Hands & Feet of Jesus! Love!
Thank you so much, Kim! Staying clear and present… love how you put that!
My pleasure! xx
Jennifer, Thank you for this encouragement! This just touched my heart! I can think of recent people that have stood out to me and I felt like I wanted to just go hug them, or better yet now after reading this, I should drop a note especially that we are approaching thanksgiving! It was definitely a God thing that made me stop and read this email; Because normally I just breeze right through and flag to come back and read later! Thank You and God bless you for following your nudge to share this story with us! ❣️
Oh I love hearing that so much, Pat! I love those “God things”. And I love knowing you are going to follow those nudges yourself!
Jennifer,
A few years ago I felt a tug of sorts. I wanted to be a “local” missionary-doing good right here in my small town. I know you’re not supposed to bargain with God. Did it anyway. Told God if He let me quit this job & be home full-time to care for my dad then I would start becoming more of a missionary–the hands & feet of Christ. Our church bakes homemade desserts for “Feed the Multitude”. I make brownies & now I go help serve those meals one Saturday a month.
This Christmas we can buy gifts for others-angel tree, shoe box, etc. I got toys for a local toy drive. I read about a Senior tree (angel tree for seniors). I got 2 nice outfits for a woman. I will also send my sponsored girl (Ninos de Mexico) a little money to buy herself a nice gift.
There are many many ways to get involved. All one has to do is be aware & listen for the Holy Spirits promptings. This world need us to show them God’s love now more than ever. All it may take is a simple hug, thank you or a note in the mail.
Blessings 🙂
My goodness, Beth! What beautiful ways you are being His hands and feet! I can only imagine how happy you are making Him. I love the idea of a senior tree… I have not seen that before. Beautiful!
Jennifer,
“It’s the thought that counts.”Thank-you for sharing how a thoughtful gesture made a difference during a difficult time. Prayers that all will be well.
blessings to you all,
Penny
Thank you so much, Penny. Even a small gesture can make such a huge difference!
Where do you live in Nebraska? I live in Fremont.
Well, hello fellow Nebraskan! I live about an hour and a half from there. Beautiful country, Phyllis!
I think the more we open our heart to God’s nudges, a kinder and more caring people we will be, and our attentiveness to those around us will be much more alert. It is so easy to not stop and pay attention to that person around us that just has a look in her eyes that says she needs encouragement.
Yes! You are so very right, Kathy. Couldn’t agree more.
I love bringing meals to people because in the past that has been such a tremendous gift to my soul. It seems insignificant, such a small thing, but I know it is a mighty thing. I also love to send handwritten notes in the mail because, again, it fills me up when I receive one. To know that someone stopped their lives to write a note to me is such a gift! If you’re wondering what thing you could do, stop and think about what little things others have done for you that light up your soul!!
I love how you have given back in the same ways that you have been blessed, Jen. It is a beautiful thing! Lighting up your soul… oh, how I love that!
Having a heart like Jesus isn’t easy, He was so full of mercy and compassion. He gave out so much. We’re just human, but He was God in the flesh. It takes His Spirit to help us walk with Him. To be His hands and feet and even His heart. Happy Thanksgiving to us all.
It certainly does take His spirit to help us, Rebecca! So grateful for it! Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you for this sweet reminder today. We have no idea what one smile, kind word or small act can do to change a person’s day. You received such a beautiful gift the day you received that note in the mail. God is good to sneak in a blessing just when we need it. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
He sure is good that way, Mary! Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving!
I don’t know why this touched me so deeply but it did! I’m dripping with tears- perhaps not only because I can really relate to needing such a touch ( proof that God sees / knows what I’m going through.) But also wondering how many nudges ( or needs) I have missed. And even more so, noticing others responding to your sharing, & seeing this ripple effect beginning to overflow with more good intentions of following God’s nudges leading to more acts of kindness & love… Makes me think of that old poem, with the line: ‘little deeds of kindness, little words of love make our earth an Eden like the Heaven above'(Julia Carney)
Oh, Sharon. What beautiful words. When I read your comment, I knew you had to be someone with a big beautiful heart. I just know you are His hands and feet in this world. Thank you for that. I have never heard of that poem, but it sure sounds wonderful… thank you for sharing.
Thank you Jennifer! It’s so gracious of you to reply to every little comment too!!
Thanks for your kind words!! In case you wanted to read the rest of the poem you can see it here:(A slightly different version)
https://allpoetry.com/poem/8564453-Little-Things-by-Julia-Abigail-Fletcher-Carney