My neighborhood story has taught me to not overlook the mission field nearest to me, to use my “Jesus lenses” and have eyes to really see people. Everyone has a story. Give grace because you never know what people are going through.

Your stress level is building and building and you just can’t catch a break. In the moment it can be so hard to find a positive way to battle the “storm” and come out undamaged. But is the aftermath more important than the “storm” itself?

Inside Hillside originated as a monthly newsletter back in September of 1969 and was titled The Sharer. This week’s story is the first article of The Sharer.

Every year I wondered why I was getting myself into such a distressing situation…But then it seemed like I would hear God’s voice reminding me I was doing this for His honor and service, not for any temporal reward.

The more I read the Bible, the more certain I became that its message was true. Worse yet, the gentle weight of God was also pressing on me, asking me what I was going to do about it.

After the initial surprise of the nomination wore off, I seriously considered: “Is God calling me to this role in the church? Am I truly up for the task of being worship elder?”

God heard your prayers and I received the right treatment, at the right time, by the right people. God’s hand was with me.

I began to drink, not to feel good, but not to feel at all. Through this entire ordeal, there were two constants: My God and my family.

Our great country is made up of many different cultures from nearly every corner of the earth…the human heart doesn’t care about differences; it cares about love, and often draws together two people from very different backgrounds.

We met Jim about 15 years ago when we relocated to a small community. The first thing he said was, “I hate Republicans and Christians.” He told us that all Christians are hypocrites…We decided to pray for this neighbor of ours.

My parents essentially bribed me to attend Calvin University. Later in my senior year at Calvin, I gave my life to the Lord, after a long road of finding my way. I needed it to be my faith, and not just the faith of my parents.

I kept thinking, “Can I do this? Can I go into a jail, into a room full of prisoners and teach them about the Bible?”

I so don’t want to go to church today. I have lots of reasons...How could my presence possibly glorify your name? How could it possibly be for anyone’s good that I be there?

Four people in four weeks had prayed for me, and now was the time God would heal me, he would heal my broken spirit.

It wasn’t enough, God. I wanted, I needed, more time with him! Why didn’t you give us more time? And it was as if God said, “It was enough. If I had given you another hour, another day, even another decade, you still would have wanted more. Trust me and my timing. It was enough.”

There is a saying in Liberia, “If you want to hide something so that no one will find it, put it in a book, because a Liberian would never look there.”

Preach the Gospel, friends. Preach it every week without apology — it is what we need — it is what our students need — and it is what the world needs now more than ever!

Hand2Hand partners with local churches and schools to provide a backpack filled with supplemental food that bridges the gap of weekend hunger. It provides consistency, love, and demonstrates to all within a home that people do care. And ultimately, that God cares.