Mine for a Little While

Kelli over at "There's No Place Like Home" hosts a show and tell every Friday. Hop on over and see her special treasures along with links from others who participate in this fun little activity!



This Friday I wanted to share with you things that I have that God has allowed me to pass onto someone else for their enjoyment. (I hope this counts as show and tell - for they were all my possessions before God led me to give them away) I wanted to write about them - as I reminder to myself and others, that all the things that we have and possess are given to us by God. Most of the time they are ours in order for us to use them to be a blessing to others. Enjoy.


One of the most favorite things that I get to do as a Pastor's wife is the privilege of visiting elderly people. I grew up volunteering at a nursing home as a candy striper; and the passion for being around older people has never left me. I love being with them! I enjoy listening to their stories as they tell about the "good old days."



In the last couple of weeks I have been able to visit more often than I normally do. I so enjoy being able to take them a small gift - in appreciation for letting me visit with them. I thought I would share a few of the gifts that God has given for me to share. I put it that way because, I normally do not know ahead of time that I am going to be able to go for a visit. So, when I find out that I will be going - I have to prepare quickly and then pray while I am getting ready that God will give me some idea of something I have around the house that I can send their way and brighten up their day. He always gives me an idea - and I find myself whispering a prayer of thanks to God for the idea as I am walking out the door.


Here is a flower arrangement I had made for the dining room table. We were informed that an elderly lady friend of our had fallen and was mending at home - but still very sore and not feeling well. I was able to take the arrangement to her to brighten her day.










Here is a jar of jam that Rachel and I made a few weeks back. Our next door neighbor has been in the hospital for over two weeks suffering from many health complications. I was able to take an old colorful doily I had been given, wrap it around the jar and secure it with a rubber band. I thought it looked like a colorful gift - and she seemed to be thrilled.









I have found many uses for this old picnic basket that God has given me. Just this week I was able to prepare a dinner for an elderly gentleman that lives behind us. He has been suffering with a bad hip for several years. Just recently he has had more problems than normal. We were able to use this basket to take him over a full cooked meal for him to enjoy. It all fit into the basket nicely - and the kids were able to care it over with ease. (I even used the red checkered towel there to cover everything - as it was a Italian meal - and I thought that would fit with the theme.) The kids had fun making him "Were -Glad - Your - Our - Neighbor" cards and we sat them on top before we closed the lid.







These are just a few pictures of things I owned; but was able to pass them on to others - as I felt God wanted me to. I think that is what it is all about - using the things that we have - to bless and help others around us. I understand that everything I have belongs to God - if He has other purposes for it - I want to be able to pass them on and let Him use them accordingly.






"True religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widow in their affliction..."



Thanks for stopping by. See you next week.

~Jane

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed the pictures and reading about how you and your family minister to others. Such thoughtfulness goes a long way i the lives of the recipients and in the example before your children.

retha said...

So thoughtful.
I like the basket.

Anita said...

I especially adore your flower bouquet and I am very sure it brightened up the day of the old lady.

Have a blessed Friday!

Anonymous said...

What lovely thoughtful gifts. Thanks for sharing.

Hootin Anni said...

All great things you've done. I especially like the story behind the picnic basket!! I just hope that he knows [your neighbor] how to appreciate your kindness.

Anonymous said...

The elderly are our most precious treasures ever. It is too bad that more people don't realize this fact. It is wonderful that you took the time out to do such lovely things for them.

Take care,
Connie

charish said...

What great ideas. Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

God bless you as you continue to serve and love your neighbors! It's great to use your treasures to encourage and love others with...

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

Sweet stories! I really like the doily on the jam jar! Giving your things away like that can help simplify and keep clutter from accumulating.

Katherine

Amy ~ (Life's Small Treasures) said...

What a servant's heart you have! I know the Lord will bless you.

A friend of our family did something similar~She had a box that she kept a tea kettle with tea bags and 2 cups and saucers. She would make cookies and would visit shut-ins and have a cup of tea with them while she visited. I have always thought one day when my children are older I would love to do something like this.

Thanks for sharing today
~Amy

Mary said...

All of these things you passed on brought joy into the lives of others. May you be abundantly blessed for your efforts.

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed your post for the reminders of ways to serve. Bless you.

Kristy Jo said...

very thoughtful!!!!

Quinne said...

Hi Jane :) I think yours is the lovliest show & tell. What an incredible way to bless the Father, those around you, and us! Perhaps we can do a show & tell like this one week as a group - show & tell & share :) Blessings, Q

Rose of Sharon said...

What great ideas! Your flower arrangement is beautiful! I like your ideas because they are special and sweet, but not expensive! How neat that you minister to others like that!

In Him ~ Sharon

Mommy said...

How nice to bless someone with something that at one time had blessed you! Thank you for sharing the stories. I enjoyed reading them. :)

Sondra said...

I used to work in a nursing home as an activity director. It was such a wonderful experience. I too, love hearing their stories and loved how appreciative they were of each small gift.
What a blessing you are to them!

Anonymous said...

Blessings on you as God uses you to minister to others!

Betty said...

Jane,
Isn't it a blessing to share God's love with the elderly and shut ins...

The 'Peanut Tree' is beautiful....peanuts are grown in the ground.....called that because the leaves on the tree do look like those on the ones planted in the ground that we eat.From planting until harvest is around 145 days....they are now being harvested in our area.

Thanks for the visit....Betty

Tammy said...

What a wonderful reminder this was to me to think about blessing others more by giving simple gifts.
I admire that you sometimes simply give something already in your home!
Blessings!

Kelli said...

This was a great show and tell, Jane! I love how you blessed others with your special things!

Hugs,
Kelli

~~Deby said...

Wonderful post Jane...I would love to be your neighbor..but until then...I will just read your uplifting blog...which is a gift in itself.
Deby

TO BECOME said...

I loved your ideas. Thank you for passing them on. I will certainly give this post a lot of thought. connie from Texas