Take Me With You…

If you have any young #children in your life, I am sure you have heard the phrase “Take me with you!” at least a time or two. “I want to go to work with you!” “I’ll help!” “I’ll be good!” #Kids just want to spend more time with you.

Jesus has the same request. “Take me with you!” “I want to spend more time with you!” “I want to help!” He wants to be with us, in the trenches of our lives. He wants us to not only #survive but to thrive, in all that we do.

Here is how I know. One Friday evening, I was working 2nd shift, about a year ago. I was finishing my shift, several girls were in the ladies room, cleaning up and gathering their belongings. One of them asked me, “Mindy, why doesn’t everyone go to Heaven?” I thought for a few seconds, then replied “Well we have to accept Jesus and His sacrifice for all of our sins. He paid the price for all our imperfections. If we had to do it ourselves, none of us would ever make it to heaven. This sparked a beautiful conversation between several of the girls. It also sparked something in me. I realized there was a definite interest and desire to learning more. At the end of our discussion, I said “Why don’t we all say Thank You Jesus” to which about six girls responded, “Thank you, Jesus!” I had to fight back the emotion.

At that moment, I felt as if God was calling ME to do something about the need for my co-workers to be feed. I thought long and hard about it, the entire weekend. He kept persisting. So, the following week, as we gathered again at the end of our workday, I suggested “What if we start a weekly #gathering, Monday thru Thursday after work? And spend some time studying God’s word? We would end our day on a positive note? Ten girls joined the group the next evening. Almost a year later, most of us still meet four nights each week. It has been Amazing! Rewarding! Spiritual Experience! We have all learned so much, and grown tremendously in our faith! We’ve become very close. We help each other through difficult times. We encourage each other and celebrate all our victories that Christ has blessed us with.

It has changed many relationships, their families and their outlooks on life. It is so true that the biggest blessings happen outside of your comfort zone. Because I felt in no way qualified to lead a Bible study group. God truly does equip you when He calls you.

I pray that this story will encourage you to do the same. These are the people that you do life with. Consider helping them to grow in their faith. You, in turn, will be blessed beyond measure.

Blessings from Jesus is Key.

Shari Kempf