James 1:27 tells us that "the religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

I know some widows, and I've been around some orphans, but I know a lot of single moms. I'm not adding to this charging verse in James at all, but practically speaking the church has to respond to the real needs of single motherhood. We have to pastor them well. Lead them. Care for them. Help them shape their children with good theology. Assist them. Let them catch their breath with a real break (and perhaps some sleep).

Today at church, our Lead Pastor, Mark Ashton, allowed some wiggle room in his sermon - room for the Spirit. Although things were on par, planned, and ready to be executed, he folded up his notes and took things in a different direction - the right direction.

After poking and prodding through a sermon on "legacy," influence, the next generation, and so on, Mark took to the Spirit and decided to spend the rest of our worshipful time together CREATING legacy.

After a few moments of personal reflection time, he had all of the single mothers (that were in the service) come forward. After listenting to some personal, "stay in the game," encouraging words from the pulpit, all of the moms turned around so that the rest of the church in that particular service could see them. Then, moved by the Spirit, droves of people came up with cash, gift cards, checks, and whatever else they deemed necessary and blessed them. Kids came. High schoolers came. There were tears, hugs, and lots of selfless givers.

AND THIS is where God really got a hold of me today. Here's what I mean...

Most of my giving is pretty planned out. Occasionally Jaci and I can afford to go up and beyond on "whims of the Spirit" and we find a lot of joy in doing so. But for the most part, our finances are budgeted and our giving is regularly planned. Regardless of how we give of our resources, let me challenge you to consider 2 things: 1) does your life allow promptings from the Spirit and are those promtings welcomed?, and 2) how tightly are you holding onto things you could be giving to people (ie: single moms) in need?

I want to live my life as a good steward of my time, talents, and treasures, but also allow wiggle room for the Spirit . It's also crucial to be "praying in the Spirit on all occasions" (Jude 6). Stewardship and Spirit have to collide to create the kingdom. What does that look like? I think its actually easier than we might think. You have to be willing to fold up your agenda (your sermon notes) and act on whispers from the Spirit. This coming week I'm going to pay attention to the things around me that I typically walk past or ignore. I'm also going to make sure that my family and I come to a conclusion on how to do this as a family. Whether you're 4 years old, 6 years old, or in your 30s - we have to be acting on whispers from the Spirit.

I want to live my life as a sacrificial giver and receiver. God, in Christ Jesus, gave up everything for humanity - me. How then could I hold tightly to anything of earthly value? What does that look like? Well, today, since I was sitting close to the front for my pastoral/stage duties in the Access service, I saw something that I'll never forget. I saw moms overwhelmed with the church BEING the church. The most moving thing however, was not just the Spirit moving in His church, but what happened at the conclusion to the entire movement (and this is the part I'll never forget). One of the receiving mothers had a "wad" of cash and gifts in her hand. Before returning to her seat with the rest of the mothers, she grabbed two of the other moms standing beside her, and split her wad among them. Now THAT is sacrifical receiving...and giving. Oh to live my life like that single mom.

What will you do this Christmas season to give beyond your normal situation - the deep sacrificial giving?

Is there room for the Spirit to prompt you towards the unplanned? Are you willing to respond?

Moved by the church BEING the church,
dwhite