Lake Deaton at Home

Hi, my name is Sharon Evans. My husband, Bill, and I are from Pennsylvania/Virginia, and moved to The Villages three years ago. We felt welcomed at once into the congregation, and have been members of Lake Deaton UMC for two and a half years. I feel blessed to have been in a small group, Sweet Sisters of Faith, led by Pat Bailey, for over two years now. I really enjoy the closeness of our small group.

Risk-taking mission and service

Hello, Lake Deaton friends. Jesus says to us in Matthew 25:40 “And truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Jesus calls us to love and serve others. He wants us to be courageous. He wants us to trust that He is always with us and will guide us.

My dad passed away from ALS this past Christmas Eve. I was blessed to be able to help care for my father for several months as his health failed. Even with personal aides and hospice, and with a lot of help from my husband and with my mother doing what she could, it was both physically and emotionally exhausting for all of us. I feel that now I have a great deal of empathy for caretakers of those with terminal illnesses, and even though I am feeling drawn to help others who are going through the same thing, the thought of it is a little scary. But I know that I can ask God through prayer to lead me, and that I can ask for direction and courage to begin the process. And like most of us at this stage in our lives, I have extra time on my hands to look for ways to serve others. 

The parable of the five talents (Matthew 25:14-30) teaches us that God wants us to use the resources that we have been given to better ourselves and those in our community. When we serve others, we ourselves have the opportunity to be blessed through new relationships, and this in turn glorifies God. 

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16). 

Discussion Questions:

1. Do I feel God calling me to reach out in mission and service to others?
2. Is there anything holding me back?
3. What can I do to get over any hesitation so that I can make that first step?

Prayer: Gracious Heavenly Father, You are so good to us. Thank you for abundantly supplying us with all of our needs. Forgive us when we are so comfortable in our own lives that we fail to notice the needs of others. We ask that you open our eyes and ears so that we do not miss opportunities to serve others in your name. We pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen