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As I read the words on the page, something ignited in me.  The stories, the statistics, all of these pulled on my heart strings.  

A desire to make a difference and a hope to help those in need awakened.

I hope to awaken the same spark in you too.  You see, this past weekend, I read Max Lucado’s book: *Out Live Your Life: You Were Made to Make a Difference.

Do you believe that?  Do you know deep in your heart that God created you for a unique purpose?

Today, I want to remind you that you were made to make a difference.

For some of us, that means serving others locally in our neighborhood and city; for others, that means going on a global mission’s trip.  Honestly, it could even be a mixture of both.

I had the privilege to go to Rwanda with each of my sons.  Both trips were life-changing and opened my eyes to see the needs of those around me. 

One of the greatest needs in Africa is clean water.  I was humbled as I watched kids walk miles to the nearest well to get water for their family.  Honestly, I had never thought about how easily this resource flows for our tap until I saw with my eyes people balancing heavy containers of water on their head and shoulders as they began to walk back home with their treasured supply.

Clean Water!  My eyes had been opened to a need!  Something that I take for granted at home was a valuable quantity across the globe.

This ignited something in me!  Reading Max’s book, re-ignited this spark!  I want to make a difference!

My friend, Yvonne also has a heart to help provide clean water and after reading Max’s book, we want to partner together to make a difference.

Together, our families have made a goal to sponsor two wells!   

We would love to invite you to come along side and help us!  Over the next couple months, we will be doing some creative fundraisers like selling succulents, washing cars, bake sales, and other ideas that God places on our hearts.   Below is a link to our home page if you want to give directly to our well fund.

The Rosser and Buck Family Wells

Lastly, we would love for you to pray!   Here is my prayer for both you and me:  Dear God, please give us eyes to see the needs around us.  Ignite a spark in our hearts to make a difference.  We give you all the glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Friends, I cannot wait to see God move!

Love, Jodi

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2 Corinthians 4:8-9, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

Are you feeling knocked down by disappointments or difficulties in your life?  Do you feel pressed on every side by the weight of your circumstances?  Are you confused and perplexed as to why God has you walking through this season of uncertainty right now?

I know how hard it can be, so let me encourage you with some truth I learned at church. As we studied these verses in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, the pastor noticed there were commas after each descriptive word, not a period.

• “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;
• Perplexed, but not in despair;
• Persecuted, but not abandoned;
• Struck down, but not destroyed.”

A period signifies the end of a sentence, but a comma shows that there is still more to come. It is important that we view our lives this same way. These feelings you are experiencing right now: hard pressed, grief, confusion….. they are real emotions that you will want to allow yourself time to process.  BUT they are not the end of your story. 

“Don’t put a period where God places a comma!”

I know someone needs to hear this message today.  This storm you have been facing has lasted longer than you thought.  The emotions are weighing on you and pressing you down.  You are struggling to see any light in the midst of the dark.   

If you are feeling hopeless, I want to encourage you today to exchange the period you placed at the end of your difficult circumstance with a comma. 

You may feel hard pressed on every side (comma), but you are not crushed, You may feel struck down (comma), but you are not destroyed.

God is not finished with your story.  He wants to give you beauty for your ashes and purpose for your pain.  

He has a plan bigger than you can even imagine, and He wants you to trust Him even when you cannot understand. Fall back into His loving arms today and ask Him to give you His strength as you walk through this difficult season.  

Remember this is not the end of your story, but the beginning of an even greater story.

Love, Jodi