Finding Needs

Sometimes it can be hard to think of ROAKs. One thing that has helped us is to stop and listen to people when we are talking to them. A need will usually present itself.

Recently, the pastor of our church, bought a new house. The mortgage company made a mistake that wound up costing him $500! After discussing the issue with the woman at the bank for hours, he finally told her not to worry about it that if God wanted him to have that money, he would get it back anyway. Someone was listening and God was speaking to their heart because a couple of weeks later he got a letter in his mailbox with $500 enclosed. The letter said some sweet things about servants of the Lord and their rewards.

Now, I can't afford that big of a gift and I'm sure many of you can't either, but the point is that someone listened to him as he talked through his aggravation at the mortgage company and they took the time to consider how they could meet this very real need that he had.

You may be chatting with a fellow mother from your child's school and hear her say that her washing machine is broke and she doesn't know how they'll ever afford to fix it. That need should stick in your mind. You should start looking for possible ways to help her. Maybe you know a friend or family member who has an extra washer on hand? Or perhaps God will present the opportunity to you (which is what usually happens). If you have paid attention to her need, when the opportunity comes, you will be able to jump on it and help this woman out.

So, keep your eyes and ears open :)

February RAOK Challenge

Hi, folks! I hope you found some opportunities to bless others this past holiday season. At Thanksgiving, I went with a group of women from my church and we delivered four baskets of food to families. These were huge, plastic tubs filled with enough food for at least a week. These families did not know we were coming. We were given their names by others and told they had a need. We showed up unnannounced. A bit rude, perhaps, but to see their reaction was such a blessing. One woman, a single mother who we heard was not going to be able to give her daughter a real Thanksgiving dinner was so moved that she began to cry.

Most ROAKs you will never see the other person's reaction over your gift, so this was really special. I still consider it a ROAK because most of these people did not know who we were or why we were giving them a gift. Please post the ways you were able to help others over the holidays.

My challenge to you for February is this--we are battling the long, dreary days of winter. Figure out a way to brighten just one person's life this month. Here are some ideas for ROAKs:

• Leave flowers on the door step of a neighbor
• Phone your local nursing home and get the name of a resident who rarely has visitors and send them a small gift and let them know you are praying for them
• While in the drive through at your local fast food restuarant, pay for the person behind you too
• When leaving a parking garage, do the same thing
• Take the time to tell a stranger that you like her hat, purse, dress, etc. I once told a woman that I loved her beautiful white hair and that I hoped my hair turned that color one day. She beamed and said, "Oh, honey, you don't know how I needed to hear that." You never know what a blessing you might be to someone
• Think of someone who needs a boost and send them an anonymous note that they are doing a good job or with a special Bible verse or quote.

Have fun!