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What's a Girl to Do?
Finding Faith in Everyday Life
By Kristi Holl Zondervan
Copyright © 2007 Kristi Holl
All right reserved. ISBN: 978-0-310-71348-7
Chapter One
FROM INDIFFERENCE ...
devotion 1
The poor are shunned by all their relatives-how much more do their friends avoid them! Though they pursue them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found. -Proverbs 19:7 (TNIV)
Elizabeth raked leaves for an elderly lady in the neighborhood. She liked the wages, but she felt uncomfortable when Mrs. Krauss came out on the porch to talk. Elizabeth said hello but continued raking while Mrs. Kraus talked or asked her to sit on the porch and have a cookie or lemonade. Elizabeth wanted to finish raking and get back home where she could call a friend or do her own thing. Elizabeth's mom said Mrs. Krauss was lonely after losing her husband. While Elizabeth pitied her neighbor, she wished she didn't have to spend her time helping her.
Showing indifference toward people shows that you don't value them very much. Indifferent people don't notice or pay attention to the needs of others. They are usually too busy concentrating on themselves.
The next time Mrs. Krauss invited Elizabeth to sit and have a cookie, Elizabeth said, "Thanks, but I'mreally busy today." When she left, Elizabeth waved and called, "I'll join you another time, Mrs. Krauss!" Mrs. Krauss nodded and waved. But Elizabeth could tell she was disappointed.
Elizabeth's cheery words don't help. Good intentions don't help either, unless you follow through. Think about how a young woman can grow from being indifferent to showing her soft heart of compassion.
WHAT'S A GIRL TO DO?
Which girl seems to be showing indifference?
When she sees the red Salvation Army bucket, Cassie reaches into her purse for a dollar. She smiles shyly at the bell ringer, drops in her dollar, and hurries into the warm store. When Becky hears about children who survived a flood, she decides to organize a clothes-and-toys drive at school. After a month, the school has enough to deliver ten boxes to the local shelter. When she is walking down the street, Kayla skips right by several homeless people while she tells funny stories to her friends.
CONNECTING TO GOD
Lord, please help me to see ways that I can be more like Christ and help others in need. Your love is so amazing. Amen.
more to explore
If any one of you has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in you? -1 John 3:17 (TNIV)
Chapter Two
... TO COMPASSION
Devotion 2
Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. -1 John 3:18 (NLT)
One Saturday morning you watch your neighbor across the street struggle into her house, juggling bags of groceries, a baby, and a toddler. While she is trying to calm the wailing baby, a grocery sack rips open and spills its contents on the ground. The toddler runs toward the street with the young mom in pursuit, carrying the wailing baby. You feel really sorry for the young woman. How does she handle that every day? It would drive you crazy! Just watching her makes you feel overwhelmed. You want to say something encouraging, but you don't want to embarrass her or say the wrong thing.
A person with compassion feels sympathy toward another person's problem but also wants to help in a real way. We often say that we care about others-we may even believe it-but until our words turn into actions, we're not helping. If you see someone in trouble, help in the way you'd like to be helped if you were in the same situation. Don't let embarrassment stop you from volunteering your services.
Based on what you observed, you make a decision. Early the following Saturday morning, you ring the young woman's doorbell. You introduce yourself and offer to babysit so she can go grocery shopping alone. The mother looks astonished at first, then grins and hugs you. "You're an angel!" she cries. You blink in surprise, smile back, and start making a plan with her.
WHAT'S A GIRL TO DO?
Which girl seems to be showing compassion?
On her way to class, Libby noticed her friend standing in front of her locker looking overwhelmed. Libby squeezed her friend's arm and said, "Let's walk to class together." Mira's mom was tired when she came home from work. Mira noticed that her mom seemed busy, but she said, "When are we going to eat?" Rose was jumping rope with two good friends. She thought about inviting a new girl to join them, but thought it might mess up the balance of the game they were playing.
CONNECTING TO GOD
Lord, I want to be more aware of others. If someone has a need, show me how to take positive action to help. Amen.
more to explore
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. -Galatians 6:2 (TNIV)
(Continues...)
Excerpted from What's a Girl to Do? by Kristi Holl Copyright © 2007 by Kristi Holl. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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