I was so touched to have been able to have met Denise, the homeowner of one of the houses we worked on while being here in Harlem Heights, Ft. Myers, FL. 

Though our encounter was brief we were all uplifted by meeting her. She arrived onsite with so much joy and gratitude towards the work we had accomplished. Her smile radiated the room. 

After being bent over, staring at the floor all morning as we chipped away at the linoleum, sweating through our clothes, her arrival was a much needed encouragement of the purpose behind our hard work. 

I didn’t come here because I like to work hard for free. I came because I like to help others find restoration, healing and hope in their lives. I live to see greater joy on faces and in hearts of the people I meet. 

Getting to meet Denise was like the cherry on top of an ice cream sundae. We often do what we do because we know the value of our work but we don’t always get to experience the fruit of our labor or the joy of it all. Yet this time we did. 

All week we started our day with prayer, scripture and preparation for the day. This scripture perfectly fits the point I’m trying to make. I prayed for Denise without having ever met her, while I was working and sweating in her home. I do what I do and I love what I love because of Jesus’ love for us all and all He has done in me, through me and for me that has led me here to this. 

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians3:17 

I wonder, what’s God calling you to do in response of His exceeding love for you?