Matthew 25: 34 Then the king will say to the people on his right, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father! Come and possess the kingdom which has been prepared for you ever since the creation if the world. I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you received me in your homes, naked and you clothed me I was sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me. The righteous will then answer him, “When Lord, did we ever see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we ever see you a stranger and welcome you in our homes, or naked and clothe you? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?The King will reply, I tell you, whenever you did this to one of the least important of one of these brothers of mine, you did it for me!” I remember hearing these words as a child in Sunday School and I’m sure in church. When I read them in Seminary I read them with a new meaning and how that would impact my ministry in which I had been called. Over the years these same words speak to me almost daily as I look at the world around me. Recently, with all of the folding that was happening I daily asked myself the question…Just what is it that I can do to make a difference or help someone. My immediate reaction was to pray for the victims. When the next news report came on there would be another event that would call me to attention and I would ask, “What can I do now.” For several days I wrote things down that had been occurring in the world and decided that whatever it was that I could do would make a difference and so rather than stand by idly it was time to get busy. The Monday Mission group at Salem was collecting shoes. With a goal of 300 pair, perhaps I needed to look a little closer to see how many pair of shoes I really could part with. Amazing I found some LIGHTLY WORN shoes that I could share. The Christmas Box information came from the Samaritan Purse and when I went into my office and store room, I did find enough items to share with children and youth around the world with Christmas items. The CROP walk was taking place and although I didn’t walk this year, I was busy organizing the Scavenger Hunt for it and I could offer a financial gift. I had made chicken and noodles for dinner and since I forgot there were only two of us eating, a bowl was shuffled over to the neighbor…Didn’t stay long but I knew she didn’t have to cook that night for herself. Now DON’T get tired reading this…I AM NOT Wonder Woman! No, rather that focus on the things I wish I had I decided that if I took time to focus on how to make a difference in God’s world that I could keep busy, and share of the time and talent that God has given to me and by doing that I can say that Mathews words to the disciples about the final judgement were indeed words that still speak to us today. You see the church didn’t get where it is today WITHOUT volunteers. Our Christian experiences and interaction with others is indeed demonstrating to others and God that we do care about the world entrusted to us by taking care of the ones who’s lives we encounter. So do what it is you have to do, what it is you want to do to make a difference and when you do you do it unto the one who gives us life. Amen and Amen