Do We Appreciate Our Community?

I wasn't coming up with a definitive topic for this weeks blog. I was praying this morning and asked God to help me with a topic. There it was, right in front of me. Plain and simple, all I needed to do was to pay attention to my home, the area I live in.

A little background first.  We live in a very small village in the Northeast. Maybe 3500 residents, I'm not positive on the count. Then we have the surrounding town around us. A much more rural area. Often I have been asked, "How can you stand living in such a small village?" Some folks say there isn't anything to do, or you have to drive 15 miles to the store, and many other statements that just do not matter. 

Truth is, I love our small community. We have great schools, churches, stores (ok, maybe not a huge store), and we have a wonderful fire department and rescue squad that both have helped us out tremendously.

This morning our Fire Department held a breakfast for the community. This was to raise funds for local families, or persons that have medical needs, that are going through a medical hardship, and so on. Folks that attended were asked to donate for this cause. 

This matter was on some of the members hearts deeply. They truly care about our community and wanted to help is some small way. 

I have to tell you, this is very near and dear to my heart. Most of you know some of my story. There are many in our community that could use a little help now and then.

This got me thinking. Do we really appreciate our communities and the people that put their all into helping others? For myself, I love our community. My husband has been here since birth, and was a fireman. I have been here since my teens. 

I then asked God, how can I relate to this in this blog. I sat down to do my devotions. Here it is.

Matthew 5:14 (HCSB)

14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.

Yes, a City on a hill. Let your light shine for all to see. This is the very thing the Fire Department was doing today, letting all know there is someone out there for them. You are not alone in your fight.

I have always felt my and my husband's purpose in our community was to show God's love to others. To let others know, our Lord Jesus is right here, in our little village. His light shines in us and through us, for all to see. His light pierces the darkness.

How does this relate to you? Wherever you live, a small town, a large city, in the back woods someplace, there is someone who needs our light to shine for them.  There is always someone who needs to know of the hope we have in Jesus. 

For us as individuals, it is a reminder to keep ourselves charged up, through prayer, by reading God's Word, by allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us and help our neighbors. 

Jesus came into this world for us all, He died on the cross for us all, and He rose again in 3 days for us all so that we can live in victory, in hope, and faith. He gave us His Holy Spirit so that we can do the things He has asked of us. For His light to shine through us brightly for all the world to see. 

I am thankful for God trusting me enough to write this blog so that I can encourage others.

Your gift may be cooking or cleaning. Whatever gift God uses you through, His light shines through and gives the others that hope. 

Thank You to our Fire Department for blessing others in our community.

Let Jesus' light shine through us all.