The Storyteller Tells a Story of Faith…
At some point in our lives, for most of us anyway, we find ourselves in need of help. We might need some repairs to our homes or help with yard work or heavy cleaning that we don’t have the strength or ability to do. This might be due to a temporary illness or injury, to the progression of old age or some other limiting condition. Whatever the reason, we need to rely on the help from others to complete the smallest of necessary tasks.
Chuck Steiner (MZ) found this to be the case with his mother who lives in Florida. Chuck relates, “There would be times when my mother would need someone to assist in doing small tasks like replacing an outside bulb for the security lights or trimming the shrubs around the house or fixing the flag pole.” His mom lives alone at the age of 87 since both Chuck’s dad and sister have passed away. She is an 18-hour drive away from Chuck, and she simply cannot do some of the things she used to be able to do herself. She either has to call a friend or neighbor to help her or go without some of these things being done. When asked why she won’t ask someone for help, Chuck says, “If she can’t do it herself then it will have to wait until I (Chuck) return or it’s not that important. Or if it’s that bad, she’ll call a professional and have it taken care of.”
This conversation started Chuck thinking about how many others are in the same position as his mother. “In a recent visit (to Mom’s house), I was wondering how I could give my mother the opportunity to ask for help without asking. Mom was embarrassed to ask, but I needed to find a way for her to ask without being embarrassed. That’s when I received the blessing of God’s direction (for me),” says Chuck.
Hebrews 13:16 “And do not forget doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (NIV)
Chuck remembers, “As I saw the offering plate being passed one Sunday, I thought a person in need of help could simply print a request on the back of a prayer card. The card would go to the Pastor and nobody would know where the request came from. The Pastor would then pass this information along to the ‘point person’ (the person in charge of arranging the work crews) to make connections with the party and make arrangements for a labor force to assist with the request.” So far, this system has worked well. Joyce Carey (MZ) agrees. “They did a wonderful job,” says Joyce. “Larry really appreciated the work – he wouldn’t have been able to do it himself.” The Difference Makers made repairs to a shed on the Carey property because Larry was suffering from some medical issues that made it impossible for him to do the needed work. Garry and Sue Detwiler, (MZ) are grateful as well for the work of the Difference Makers. The crew “power washed their mobile home to prepare it for painting. We are very grateful for everything they did,” says Sue. Like the Carey’s, the Detwiler’s have medical issues that render it impossible to do this type of work themselves.
Chuck sums it up when he says, “It is a great opportunity for many to go out and make testimony by action to others so that we can make disciples for Jesus Christ and be a Difference Maker in their life.”
The Difference Makers will tackle projects for anyone who requests them as long as the workers have the ability to do the work and the property owner pays for the materials. To submit a project for their consideration or volunteer to be a part of the Difference Makers crew, please contact Chuck Steiner directly at 717-254-5585.
We all have talents and abilities that can be of benefit to someone. The question is, will we use them to further God’s Kingdom or keep them to ourselves? Be a Difference Maker – there are those out there who will really appreciate it.
Deuteronomy 3:11 “Bless all his skills, O Lord, and be pleased with the work of his hands.” (NIV)