Saturday, August 4, 2012

Do What You Can--Guest Blog by Jeanette Levellie

          Today, I'm featuring a story by Jeanette Levellie, from her book Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top.  I think you will really enjoy her writing.  Because of God's grace, Jeanette can see the humor in her own foibles, and she uses her personal stories to offer encouragement to others.


Jeanette Levellie with her grandchildren. 
          Jeanette writes with lots of humor, from a heart filled with love, and a desire for people to see Jesus.  She and her husband, Kevin, relocated from Los Angeles to Paris, Illinois in the rural Midwest in 1999.  Kevin is a minister.  Jeanette has many stories of her experiences as a pastor's wife.  They have two adult children, and three grandchildren.   Jeanette's stories have appeared in many devotionals and anthologies, such as Love is a Verb Devotional with Gary Chapman.  Visit her on her website: http://jeanettelevellie.com.

          Following is an excerpt from Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top:

                                                         Do What You Can

When asked to speak for the Homemakers' Club at a Christian nursing home, I was stumped.  I emerged from the womb yakking, singing, and trying to motivate others . . . .   Still, what could I say to inspire women twice my age, and probably ten times my spiritual stature?
          I went to the One with all the answers.
          "Lord, I could use your help.  Many of these ladies are in wheelchairs.  Some of them are sick.  Most will never leave the nursing home.  What can I share with them to add some meaning to their lives?"
          The idea came swiftly, with surprising results.
          "There are people all around you who need your unique talents and abilities,"  I chirped to the dozen ladies gracing the room with their brightly flowered dresses.  Although they listened kindly, I detected a shadow of doubt in their eyes.  Perhaps I'd missed God's voice and brought the wrong message.  They must have thought me blind or naive, not to notice their hands twisted with arthritis and their useless legs in the wheelchair footrests.
          Nevertheless, I forged ahead.  This was the message I believed God had put on my heart.  I had to trust His voice rather than my eyes.
          "While you may not be able to do everything you once did, the Lord can use you to touch many lives.  God doesn't require a brillant mind or a perfect body for you to make a positive difference in the world.  What He's searching for is a willing heart.  He just wants you to do what you can."
          To jumpstart the ladies' discovery of unique ways to touch others' lives, I passed around a jar filled with colorful slips of paper.  On each one, I had written a simple idea.  Every club member chose two papers . . . .
          The lady who picked "compose a silly poem" rushed back to her room and returned with a bright blue notebook.  She was a poet, and had recently written a ridiculous one that she read on the spot. Our laughter danced to the ceiling . . . .
          Several days later, I recalled the evening . . . . "Thank you, Father, for your splendid idea!  You always go above and beyond what I ask or dream.  You are so amazing."
          A familiar Voice stole into my heart, soft and steady:  "What made you think I meant that idea for those ladies alone?"
"Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds"  (Hebrews 10:24 NASB).

http://www.amazon.com/Two-Scoops-Grace-Chuckles-Volume/dp/0983319618/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332286157&sr=1-2

FREE BOOK GIVE-AWAY--How to qualify for the random drawing to win a copy of Two Scoop of Grace with Chuckles on Top, by Jeanette Levellie.  Here are the 3 easy steps.
1.  Leave a comment on this blog which includes your name and email address.  (I'll use that address to contact you for your mailing address IF you win.)

2.  Share this blog post on your Facebook wall no later than 11:00 a.m, Friday, August 10th.  You can see how to do that at the bottom of this page.

3.  Sign up to become a "follower" of this blog.

Deadline to qualify is 8:00 p.m. Friday, August 10th.

Thank you for reading Write Moments with God.  I hope you are enjoying my twice weekly devotions.   I'll return with another one of my own meditations on Wednesday, August 8th. 

                                                                       
                                                                        

11 comments:

  1. Thanks, Rose, for your kind comments and a chance to share one of my favorite chapters from Two Scoops with your readers!

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  2. What a delightful post! Jen is one of those amazing people who radiates love and joy wherever she goes and I love the cover of "Two Scoops of Grace!" Thanks, Rose, for sharing Jen and her books with us!

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  3. THANK YOU ROSE FOR SHARING JEANETTE -

    I love Jeanette's thoughts - what a wonderful mind & spirit -

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  4. I'm glad Jeanette's words spoke to your heart. Just do what you can. I find it very encouraging to know that God is pleased with all our efforts, even the small and weak ones. We can plant a seed for His Kingdom; He will bring the harvest.
    Thank you as well for touching my life.

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  5. Thanks Rose for sharing Jeanette's story. Everyone can benefit from a good dose of encouragement and motivation.

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  6. It's so nice to hear from you, Vanessa. Yes, I thought the story was uplifting.

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  7. Yes, I finally figured out how to send a comment!

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  8. No matter what our age or our physical or mental abilities, we do each have something to share with the world to make it a better place and to brighten the lives of others. What are your talents and gifts? One of Rose's is her inspiration through her writing and the same is obviously true for Jeanette Levellie. Thanks for sharing Jeanette with us, Rose!

    Always,
    Amy
    ADJ91570@yahoo.com

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  9. Rose: Thank you the reminder of doing what we can in the Lord's work. Jeanette: I love the picture of you and your grandchildren.

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  10. I may be a bit late to win the book -- but I enjoyed the story. God is ever faithful. We have not because we ask not. :)

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  11. Hi Kat,
    I'm so glad you enjoyed the story. Well, you can still get the book in the Kindle version. Tuesday is Jeanette's birthday, and as a gift to everyone, she is giving away her book on Amazon on Tuesday, August 14th, in the kindle version. So, if you have kindle, or if you want to download one for free from Amazon onto your computer, you can get the electronic version of the book. Super! Thank you for visiting and commenting on the blog.

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