A month ago, I was hiking in the mountains of Virginia. I came across this natural bird condo. I was drawn to this birdhouse condo of sorts. Look at all the holes in this tree where the birds live.
I watched the birds come back and forth and I thought about the bird houses my husband has put up near our home. The provision of shelter is often taken for granted. My own home is more than I could have ever dreamed, asked, or imagined and I am forever thankful.
There are those who proudly live in grass huts, small apartments, and homes of all shapes and sizes all over our world. Then there are those who do not have shelter at all. They are exposed to all the elements. Some choose to live a life of homelessness, but in our current economy there are many who have found themselves homeless and did not choose this path.
Today, I pray for each person affected by homelessness and/or hunger. This is a day to consider giving beyond your normal gift to your local food banks and shelters. If you have never given before, now may be a day when you can start. The smallest donation goes a long way. Recently, I learned the food bank can stretch a $1 donation and multiply it by 12, because of their buying ability. If you do not have any spare assets, because of your own situation you can continue to pray. Prayer does change things. It moves mountains. Do not think prayer is a "small" contribution, because it is NOT.
Challenged to do more,
Andrea
51 comments:
What a lovely story and a lovely reminder. I can't tell you the number of times I think how fortunate I am to be fed and housed and clothed ... Not to mention the multitude of blessings on top of that!
I want to thank you for checking in with me so often. Even if I don't respond all the time it is a huge comfort to know that people (even some I don't even know!) are praying for us and supporting us. Somehow it makes my job as a parent just a bit easier.
Hope your holidays are off to a wonderful start.
This is something we need to continue to do throughout the year...count our own blessings and bless others the best way we can. Thank you for your beautiful thoughts today.
Living it up at Lakewood,
Cindy
We should be moved into actions because of the faith we believed in. And this is the best time of the year to remember all the hurting ones. So many of them. And you're right, even prayers do wonders! Thank you for this wonderful reminder. God bless you always sister and keep you. Have a wonderful weekend...Thank you for your prayers.
Thanks for this beautifully written reminder, Andrea.
'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers (sisters) of mine, you did for me.' - Jesus, Matthew 25:40
Great post.
Hey Andrea!
I've heard about charities being able to do an abundance of things with just $1 as well! I think it's great.
smooches,
Larie
Prayer.. that's what my mom used to tell me when we are faced with troubles we don't know how to solve.. prayer teaches us to let go and let God.
hugs,
~Silver
If you want a great opportunity to donate, here is a link to a great cause! I donated a little bit this morning, and its a great cause! http://www.treymorgan.net
What a delightful picture of the 'bird condo'! And the relevance of it towards those who have no shelter, no roof, no food. You are right on target, Andrea, with the suggestion to donate...it is so vital, if we can. In fact, I just came from the grocery store and bought our third small batch of food bank supplies. The store and the nursing home where Mom lives have the barrels out for our local food bank with the list of needed items so I pick up the amount I can handle for this week's budget and drop it in a barrel. If we feel we can do a bit more next week, we do. It has become a part of our giving as we can. We would rather cut back in other ways and do this. We feel it is our small part along with our prayers. And you are right there too! Prayers are BIG in God's ears.
Caring, ~ linda
Beautiful post. Love your blog. Thank you for visiting me. God Bless.
We are going to be secret santas to strangers, starting today. Doing random acts of kindness is all it takes to make the world a little brighter...coupled with prayer of course.
Beautiful post and precious reminder to reach out and help those in need!
Sweet Blessings!
Jackie
Loved the tree sanctuary and your illustration. Thank you for your prayers on behalf of my aunt who is more like my mother! I so appreciate it! Have a beautiful day.
Blessings,
Sandi
you've got such a great heart. And I love the bird condo. I've never seen one before. Reaching out and helping those who are hurting and struggling to just get by....totally agree.
This is so encouraging to me!!! I am so thankful for the home God has provided for us and I'm standing on His promises that He will continue to provide it for us! I'm so glad that prayers are mighty and that He hears every one!
I am also so very thankful for the home that God has provided for me. This is great encouragement Andrea.
Love you!
A bird condo, how cool!
Yes, I am always aware of how thankful I am to have a place to live. And how thankful I am that if something happened, I have family that would take me in. It's so sad to me that not everyone has this support in their life.
What a lovely heart you have my friend............YOU ARE AN ANGEL!!
Love you bunches :)
What a beautiful post Andrea!
This is a wonderful reminder - thank you
A lovely post, and a good reminder for all!
Rosemary
This is a perfect example of "what would Jesus do" that we often ask our grandchildren when they want to know what to do about a certain circumstance. He tells us to feed and clothe the poor, to take care of the needy. You are right, Andres, we have so very much that it wouldn't be much of a sacrifice for any of us to give more than we do. I'm challenging myself to do just that this year. I have at least 4 envelopes on my kitchen table from local shelters or food banks, asking for donations...time to take care of that.I'm grateful to the Lord that He has His arms and legs out there in the community doing this worthy work, and I pray that those receiving will receive the gift of salvation along with their food and clothing...He is what they need the most, as we all do.
God bless,
Mary
you're right. our church has a food bank and feeds families for a few dollars. we all throw away enough to sustain a small family. sharing is caring.
It is encouraging to hear about the donation facts. Thank you for speaking about this very important need. Love you, dear sister.
Andrea,
I admire your generous and grateful heart.
And you're so right. Prayer makes the most difference.
Sweet dreams.
Andrea,
What an AMAZING blog. Two things grabbed my heart.
The Thoreau-like way in which you observe nature, then express it in unique ways.
A homeless man named Dale survived last year's Illinois winter by living, not in a tree condo, but in a tent under a tree. With his Rottweiler.
May we give until it hurts.
Patti
I am challenged to do more too. Thanks for this post my friend
Hugs,
Mimi
Prayer does move mountains....blessings to you too my friend. Christmas is the time of giving. xoxoxo
What a wonderful post! I love the natural bird condo! How beautiful! I totally agree with you about helping others at this time of year especially. We are a blessed nation, but there are so many who do not feel that blessing right now because of the circumstances they face.
That picture is so cool. Your message is even cooler. Praying for the homeless. Awesome dear one. Thank you for sharing....
Such a beautiful reminder.
A great reminder to help those who are in need.
I've seen trees like the one in your picture, I didn't know that is was home to some birds.
love and hugs~ Tammy
Very inspiring reminders about what Jesus wants us to do...love how you signed off and I join you in being challenged to do more!
Loved your bird condo. Nature has so many surprises.
Thanks for the post and the challenge!
I am praying as well Andrea for all who are hurting and stand in need. Thank you for this special message and love the photo!
Love and blessings! Praying for you.
Oh, awesome post, Andrea!
God cares for even the sparrows!
Agreed totally, as much as I worry about my finances for the future.. providing for my son and all that. I must remember there are others out there who do not have it so good. We must all do our part. Bless you Andrea.
Thank you, I try to remember there are people who are having it harder then me when i start feeling sorry for my self
Beautifully written reminder from a beautiful heart!
Thank you for your caring post, Andrea. There are many hurting people these days who need our help and prayers. Thank you so much for your sweet comment about my song.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, LOL How are you doing :) Get any snow yet>?
Yes, we can all do a part big and small..it will all add up.
Lovely, liked the bird condo. God looks after all his creatures.
BM
Good reminder to be thankful for the shelter we have and pray for others with less.
Usually the Google friend connect will accept blogger people. You could sign up with facebook if that is easier. Sorry for the difficulty! :O)
I love that picture! Thank you for sharing this, it was a good reminder to me of what I can do for others.
What a great word picture of God's provision!! All of our small efforts add up. Most especially prayer, as God hears and acts on our behalf. This is a great reminder from the heart for us to look after our brothers and sisters!
What a touching post and a good reminder. I think it's great that God moved you to pray with this bird condo!
Thank you for the award Andrea - That was very sweet. I feel so blessed for the opportunity to get to know you through this wonderful outlet - blogging. I have met such wonderful people here who I now call my friends and I definitely count you as one of them!
When I am able to this week - I will write a post about this award
Thank you dear sister-
((Hugs))
Kymber
Our local shelter is able to multiply dollars by 9 (California is an expensive state). Still, that factor is something, and God often multiplies gifts in ways that we could not begin to imagine.
Donations become even more important now. Some of our local food banks are reporting that people who used to donate have now become recipients of food services.
One never has nothing to donate, in addition to prayer there is time/respect. I wonder how many people who are blessed to have housing have spoken to a homeless person this week. Even if one has no money to give, not walking by as if the person did not exist but taking even a couple of minutes to say hello, pass a little time of day, and otherwise show respect can be a considerable gift to people who often find themselves looked down upon. If we remember that every person, no matter who that individual is, has a piece of God inside, we might react differently.
This reminds me of a post I've been meaning to write about living in a house with only 1 bathroom! I'm still trying to find a sponsor for Andres. You're right...prayer can do mighty things!
Love you, Leslie
prayer is indeed the most powerful gift we can share with each other each day. i'm with you...
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