I had a great meeting last night at Stephen Ministry. Everyone was there and everyone had input which is great. We were asked to share any books, songs, passages of scripture, magazine articles, devotional thoughts, poems, etc that might have helped us in ministering to our care receivers. It was a very moving evening as there are such unique circumstances for each Stephen Minister. When you are sharing in a person's life which is in caos and often you can only watch and encourage through prayer, it is a blessing to find a scripture verse, a book or 'something' that encourages YOU as the SM and your CR at the same time. It is often by 'divine appointment' that this is given to you. You may be reading a book yourself, and a line stands out from the page as to the circumstance your CR is facing; a scripture verse may jump out at you during your own devotions or a comment or sharing of an experience from someone else which can help your CR is shared.
Each of us shared something. They were all unique and offered a way to care without being intrusive, yet offer direction and guidance or strictly emotional support and love. From a song by Selah called "Unredeemed" to Max Lucado's "Grace for the Moment" or a hymn "As the Deer Panteth for the Water" drawing the SM near to God before he or she begins the challenge of caring for others, to a book called "In the Shelter of the Most High" when you are looking for safety and security and finding rest and peace. Another shared on those experiencing anger at God for situations in their life and expounding on a piece from R.C. Sproule's "Exposition on John" (Ch. 10) where he refers to each of us as sheep and God as the Good Shepherd. Further, the hymn "Ninety + Nine" where God leaves the 99 in search of the one! The one could easily be you or me. One SM commented that we should seek to glorify God in death - citing the example of her father-in-law. She also shared a devotional which spoke of the fact that we all will die (Hebrews 9:27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement..) and so to live our lives in the knowledge of that.
I shared the number of books which we have purchased for the SM library on caring and encouraging, death and dying, dealing with suicide, reading the Psalms etc. Everyone is so busy these days that sometimes reading one more book is a challenge. Yet most took one. We hope to have each person who reads a book, to do a mini book report so that others can determine if this is the book they need to read to help themselves or their CR.
So many different situations and so many hurting people. It is sometimes hard to be in the middle of it constantly. One of our SM works for a funeral home and this causes her to be constantly surrounded by death. Although she is strengthened by her faith, the many who do not believe whom she has to deal with can be a drain on her emotional and spiritual strength. We all have moments of questioning and doubt, yet when our group comes together to support each other, these doubts are laid to rest.
What a great ministry this is and continues to be. A new SM shared that she felt the comraderie of the other SMs and knew that this ministry was helping her CR simply by being able for her CR to share her concerns and be supported in prayer by another believer. Although her CR is facing a crisis of faith due to her circumstances, she is still willing to hear how God can make a difference in her life. As well, she is actually seeing what God can do when she reaches out to Him. This is a blessing not only for the CR but for the Stephen Minister as well. Our faith is enriched and restored at times too!
The end of a beautiful evening. It was sad to close. I love the books, the articles, all the words of the poems. I love the older devotionals which I too had shared with everyone. I had a book from my Aunt Elva with first printing dated 1947 and which contained a myriad of uplifting devotionals about all different circumstances. I find myself always turning to it for my own inspriation and for strengthening others.
Hebrews 9: 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
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