I Left My Heart in Saluda....and Thoughts on Service

Remember the movie Fried Green Tomatoes? Yep. SO. Good. Anyways, the town where that movie takes place kind of reminds me of a little town on the side of a mountain called Saluda, North Carolina. I've only been there one other time, and i believe i blogged about it last year. I had gone to a Christian retreat center and spent the day in a tiny chappel. Coolest thing.

So, this past Saturday, after i had made all kinds of plans for the weekend--i ended up scratching all my plans and headed for the office. Yep. On a Saturday. (gross.) But i thought, "hey, i'll be productive today." I turned into my office parking lot. Parked the car. Thought for about 2 seconds, and then continued driving. I decided my heart was longing for adventure and i needed to give into it. Now, Saluda might not be an "adventure" destination for many, but it is for me. My heart feels free when i am in Saluda. I walked around to different shops where i found a few treasures. Had a few conversations with some of the locals. I even got an ice cream cone and walked around for a bit. My soul rejoiced. In the moment. In the gift. It was such a gift to me. Truly.

This (somehow) brings me to service. I got to thinking about my heart that day and how it felt good to do something for myself. It may sound selfish, but it's quite necessary. Then i started thinking about other ways to fill up my heart. I came up with service. I'm going to serve. And i am not sure what it will look like. But here's the thing: I know that when i give my life away, my life is made full. My heart overflows.

In particular my heart aches for hurting women all over this globe. But what have i done? Perhaps i've encouraged these women--that is, when they happen to cross my path--but have i truly gone out of my way to serve them? No.

I just signed up to volunteer at a couple of different organizations in our community. And it already feels like such an honor. Because that's the truth isn't it? It's really our honor to serve. It's a privilege. What a gift. What's my point in telling you all of this? Well, perhaps to tell you that you should visit Saluda, North Carolina. :) Or perhaps to tell you that the time is now. I keep waiting for my life to settle down....and THEN i'll serve. But the time is now. We are called to serve now. And it's not a burden. It's a privilege. That's something for you to chew on today: What can i do today to nurture my soul? And what can i do today to serve those around me? What would God have me do?

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. SPeak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27.