Christian Living

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The most important action of our human experience is to love God with all your heart; and secondly, Love your neighbor as yourself. Remember, there’s no love for others if you don’t love yourself.

This is a story about Ralph, a little boy who longed for a tender loving touch from his mother. However, her drug usage prevented what we perceive as her parental duty to provide a loving home for her son. So, most of Ralph's home life evolved around watching TV or playing video games into the early hours in the morning. Dinner was not regular and he was constantly ill, prompting concern from his schoolteachers. The intervention from school officials were to no avail. Church life for Ralph was non-existent. The situation seemed hopeless, and if someone didn’t intercede, another child would be lost to a life on the streets or into the gangs.

One day while the Ralph walked home from school he, noticed construction started on the church around the block from his house. Each day he passed by the church he, observed the building looked odd. To him the shape wasn’t consistent with a church and he asked the workers, “Hey what kind of building are you making?” A community center for kids in the neighborhood, they replied. The boy stood and wondered what kid would go to a community center. Of course, with his limited exposure to things outside of school and home, he was unable to comprehend the reasoning for the Community Center.

A few months passed by, the Community Center opened and Ralph poked his head in. To his amazement, the Center brought a smile to his face. Kids were playing all sorts of sport activities and they even had video games. Ralph would stay late into the evening each day after school at the Center. He found the Community Staff loving and caring group, something he missing in his life.

I’ve reached the point in life to volunteer time at Vineyard Community Center, after school program. I see and talk with many such children like Ralph, bring joy into both our lives. I seek for more joy in life and by volunteering, is one-way to reach that goal. Please listen to your heart and let it drive you too wholeness. Stop fighting the calling, drop your sword, and pick up the Cross of Jesus Christ by helping someone other than yourself.

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