Pruning a rose garden so it can flourish

I've been apart of an outreach ministry now for about 6 to 7 years.

While I was apart of a small group from the Vineyard Community Church in Tri-County. Sara (the small group leader) invited me to help serve on a "Second Mile Saturday" team; The Good Samaritan Run (aka: The Good Sam Run, GSR). At the GSR before we go to downtown Cincinnati, we meet up in the Great Room at the VCC church to make the Turkey, Cheese, and Mustard sandwiches, sort though and individually bag the donated bake goods, and mix together juice or hot chocolate. Generally, we have a little devotion and prayer before get head out.  This is done every Saturday; rain, snow, ice, or sunshine. I know of maybe two times of the GSR not going out and that is only because of there being consequences for being on the roads. This team has been going to Washington Park (which is now a doggie park and a parking garage), and our new location on Liberty St (across from Shell Gas Station)for 11-12 years.

Talk about taking myself out of my comfort zone and putting me in the front lines of service, right here at "home" and not out on a mission trip in another country. But being apart of this amazing team/group of people has helped me grow in more ways than I can even begin to describe.

I've made relationships with people who I would never have thought to associate myself with. In my mind and heart when I first started volunteering my time, I was wanting to go and bless those who were hungry with; food, a nice smile/words, a listening heart/ears, and the love of the Father. I was not expecting anything in return. But it all was 10x's more! I've made relationships, bonds with children, men and women down there that I honestly wouldn't know who I would be if I didn't have them in my life. I can think of specific moments when I went, and was just going through the motions of passing out food. Not really talking to anyone, not really wanting to be there, but there was no where else I had to be when God sent a dear friend that I've made down there to give me a huge spiritual hug and let me know that everything was going to be okay. I was there to bless others, but on that day I was the one being blessed and lifted up. Talk about being humble.

With being in college again, my time is completely limited. With having multiple papers due, Spanish to learn and study, chapter readings, and exams to prepare for I haven't been able to be down there every Saturday. Unfortunately, my heart feels empty when I can't make it down there for 2 to 3 hours on a Saturday with the GSR team.

But now, I've just learned this past week that a good friend who's been leading this team of people for quite some time is stepping down. That's okay! God has timing for everything! As this body of Christ, this team of volunteers, goes through this time of change in leadership and the unknown I feel like God is saying that He wants to take us to a higher level of service and a higher level of worship. Much like pruning the dead leaves off of a rose bush. We need to make way for bigger and better things that God has for us to take, use, and do.

God may want us to team up with the Dream Center of Cincinnati? Or he may have something different in mind for us all together? I love all who I serve with on this team, and all the children, men, and women I serve. I'm leaving the pains that change has in the hands of the Father. He is the one who holds tomorrow, and He is the one who knows my future. I will walk with my Heavenly Abba through anything.