Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Serve the least of these {Graffiti Summer}


This stirring in my heart to serve others has been a longtime companion.
It's a stirring waiting to be awakened.


Along my journey the stirring was felt.
I'd see, but never stopped.

Married to a once verbally abusive and alcoholic husband —
Serve the battered and abused women of our world.

Lost in a world of depression and an eating disorder —
Serve those who are also lost.

A heart full of pain —
Serve those drowning in pain.

Wife and mother to military men —
Serve those who serve and protect us.

Rescued and given a new life —
Bring Christ to the lost and hurting souls.

I had always silently cried to be seen.
For far too long I remained unseen.

And this is where the stirring to serve ignites.
"Beth, see those silent cries of others."

Fear left me frozen and feeling powerless.
Bravery was needed to move.

Doubt told me I was unable to make a difference.
Someone else will do it better.

Comfort kept me on my side of the street.
I don't belong on the other side.

But there is so much more on the other side.
There is a hurting world waiting to be seen.

There he was. This homeless veteran.
I've seen him again and again.

This time I stopped.
I stepped over my fears.

To the other side of the street I went.
I sat down next to Bob and placed my hand on his.

I prayed with my new friend.
"I love you, Beth", he said as we parted ways.

I crossed back over to my side of the street.
Now I long to go back to the other side.

I saw Bob.
Bob saw me.

God saw me.
How can I go on not seeing?

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give his life as a ransom for many." ~ Mark 10:45

I'm joining Alene Snodgrass in stepping over my fears to serve others.
Will you join too?



Purchase her book and dowload the free study guide.
Join us on Facebook.

"Your journey is not about you, it’s about others!" - Alene Snodgrass


Catch up on my Graffiti Summer posts here.
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37 comments:

  1. Linda WardJune 4, 2013 at 6:01 PM

    I commend you & have such respect for your brutal honesty and capacity to reach out and share pieces of your life that the public does not see. By sharing, you give others the strength to face the demons in their lives and reach to God for strength. Thank you Beth.

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  2. Simply BethJune 4, 2013 at 6:07 PM

    Linda, you always touch my heart so deeply. Thank you! I'm so grateful for you and our friendship. Much love to you. Beth

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    1. Linda WardJune 4, 2013 at 8:38 PM

      Thank you Beth - it has been a joy to know you also.

      Delete
  3. EmilyJune 4, 2013 at 9:17 PM

    This is beautiful, Beth! Thanks for the example of seeing and then stepping over the fear across the street!

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    1. Simply BethJune 6, 2013 at 5:31 AM

      Thank you, Emily. I'm praying for God to continue to help me in stepping over those fears. Blessings to you. Beth

      Delete
  4. ameliaJune 4, 2013 at 9:28 PM

    This was simply beautiful! Beautifully written about a beautiful deed. How we all long to be seen and known!

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    1. Simply BethJune 6, 2013 at 5:32 AM

      Thank you so much Amelia for stopping in. I'm grateful that we are seen and known by a loving God. Blessings.

      Delete
  5. Positively AleneJune 4, 2013 at 9:38 PM

    Cried through this beautiful story. Sobbed when I got here, "I prayed with my new friend.
    He said as we parted ways, "I love you, Beth." I crossed back over to my side of the street.
    Now I long to go back to the other side."

    I long to meet Bob. I want to sit and chat with the two of you. Love this!

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    1. Simply BethJune 6, 2013 at 5:34 AM

      Alene, How lovely it would be if the three of us could sit together. I fear now seeing Bob again and how do I really help him? Your advice is ringing in my ears...we listen and we love. Thank you my friend. You continue to inspire me to be brave. Blessings, Beth

      Delete
  6. AnonymousJune 5, 2013 at 6:10 AM

    Beautiful...and challenging...words.

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    1. Simply BethJune 6, 2013 at 5:35 AM

      Thank you for stopping in Holly.
      Blessings to you.
      Beth

      Delete
  7. Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With GodJune 5, 2013 at 6:36 AM

    Beth,
    Truly beautiful and moving. May we all have a servant's heart like yours!! Help me Lord, to cross over to the other side of the street more often...
    Love and ((hugs)),
    Bev

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    1. Simply BethJune 6, 2013 at 5:36 AM

      Thank you so much Bev. It's Thursday and I find myself missing Kristen's Out of the Blue link-up. I think I'm in need of those beautiful words you always share. Hope to hear from you this week! Much love and (((hugs))),
      Beth

      Delete
  8. UnknownJune 5, 2013 at 7:05 AM

    Dear Beth
    Those first times we step over our fears are always the most difficult, but as we come to realize there is not a monster on the other side trying to devour us, it becomes much easier! Yes, we can only serve and encourage with the grace and encouragement we have received from our Pappa!
    Blessings
    Mia

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    1. Simply BethJune 6, 2013 at 5:38 AM

      Oh Mia, I am hoping it gets easier or feels easier because it still feels so hard. I keep praying to God to continue to help me be brave. Thank you for your loving heart. Blessings, Beth.

      Delete
  9. JoAnne PotterJune 5, 2013 at 7:28 AM

    See the silent cries of others.
    Yes. And this requires attention and patience and S-L-O-W-I-N-G down.
    Now, in the last couple of decades (probably) of my life, I so do not want to miss what I'm supposed to do before the Lord. This applies to anyone.
    Thank you.

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    1. Simply BethJune 6, 2013 at 5:40 AM

      Yes...it requires slowing down. Your comment has reminded me of how this does apply to everything...to not miss what I'm supposed to do before the Lord. Amen! I don't want to miss. I want my eyes to always be open. Thank you for stopping in and sharing.
      Blessings,
      Beth.

      Delete
  10. GLENDA CHILDERSJune 5, 2013 at 8:36 AM

    I love this post. Honestly looking at your life and still with faith crossing the street. Yay, Beth. Yay, God.

    Fondly,
    Glenda

    Thanks for your kind note on my blog. Can you send me your e.mail? For some reason, I can't access it on your link. (dvs3girls - @ - aol - . - com.)

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    1. Simply BethJune 6, 2013 at 5:41 AM

      Thank you, Glenda for your kind words. I'm looking forward to meeting soon.
      Blessings,
      Beth

      Delete
  11. RachelJune 5, 2013 at 12:00 PM

    He did not come to be served, but to serve.

    blessed beyond blessing.

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    1. Simply BethJune 6, 2013 at 5:41 AM

      Oh thank you, Rachel! Your comment has blessed me.

      Delete
  12. KimJune 5, 2013 at 6:59 PM

    What a lovely story of using the difficult road you've traveled to help others through the same journey. Thank you for sharing such deeply personal testimony.

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    1. Simply BethJune 6, 2013 at 5:42 AM

      Thank you Kim for stopping in and for your kinds words. It's always a delight to have you here.
      Blessings,
      Beth

      Delete
  13. Janis Van KeurenJune 5, 2013 at 8:15 PM

    That's an amazing story--an amazing feat. You crossed the street as God gave you the grace. Step out where He leads you--one step at a time.
    Blessings as the Lord leads you to serve,
    Janis

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    1. Simply BethJune 6, 2013 at 5:44 AM

      Thank you Janis for stopping in. I love the way you put that..."You crossed the street as God gave you the grace." Amen. He is an amazing God!
      Blessings,
      Beth

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  14. Mommy EmilyJune 5, 2013 at 9:43 PM

    oh Beth, yes. he sees us. this, why we see others. may you know how loved you are. thak you for linking with imperfect prose.

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    1. Simply BethJune 6, 2013 at 5:46 AM

      Thank you so much, Emily. I'm touched to have you here and grateful for your loving comment. Thank you for your heart to allow us to share with each other through your website.
      Blessings to you,
      Beth

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  15. Mary ReedJune 5, 2013 at 9:51 PM

    Beth, thank you for sharing with such poignant honesty. Our fears seem so huge until God gives us the grace to step across the street and look them in the eye. Thank you for your courage. You challenge me to want more Jesus... a very good thing.
    Blessings to you ~ Mary

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    1. Simply BethJune 6, 2013 at 5:47 AM

      His amazing grace...oh how sweet it is. Thank you so much Mary for your kind words. May we all want more Jesus! Blessings, Beth.

      Delete
  16. elizabethJune 5, 2013 at 11:12 PM

    Here from Imperfect Prose. So happy to "meet" you and to be encouraged by your words to cross the street.

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    1. Simply BethJune 6, 2013 at 5:48 AM

      Thank you, Elizabeth. Nice to meet you too. I love this wonderful blogging community!
      Blessings,
      Beth

      Delete
  17. AnonymousJune 6, 2013 at 1:14 AM

    Hi Beth, wow, what lovely words. Beautifully written. I knew when I saw your photo when you've commented and linked up over at My Daily Walk, I knew you had a heart of compassion. God is going to and is already using you mightily
    God bless
    Tracy

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    1. Simply BethJune 6, 2013 at 5:49 AM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Simply BethJune 6, 2013 at 5:50 AM

      Oh Tracy, your words have touched my heart. Thank you! Thank you for your heart to allow us to share through your page. I love how God uses us all to encourage each other.
      Blessings to you,

      Delete
  18. Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.comJune 6, 2013 at 7:39 AM

    Reading your post, I was reminded of the verses in 2 Corinthians 1:4: "He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us."

    Because of what you've gone through, you have a very special way of seeing those who've been hurt. Thank you for joining with #TellHisStory.

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  19. UnknownJune 8, 2013 at 11:51 AM

    Love this:
    "Fear left me frozen and feeling powerless.
    Bravery was needed to move.

    Doubt told me I was unable to make a difference.
    Someone else will do it better.

    Comfort kept me on my side of the street.
    I don't belong on the other side.

    But there is so much more on the other side.
    There is a hurting world waiting to be seen."

    Thank you, I needed that.
    I am visiting from Friday Favorites Link up!

    ReplyDelete
  20. UnknownJune 8, 2013 at 4:22 PM

    That first step, through our fear, can be so very hard but we are changed for the effort. Rejoicing with you as you continue to walk into bravery.

    ReplyDelete

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Much love to you.