I am rich, but there was a time when I was poor and had no faith.

I am full, but there was a time when I was starving for truth.

I am clothed, but there was a time where I was stripped of dignity.

I am welcomed, but there was a time when I was so painfully alone.

I am free, but there was a time when I was a slave to sin.

Thank God for His mercy, and for those who love Him. Those people extended His mercy to me.

Thank God for people who cared enough to share the truth about a God Who gave Himself for my sake. They set me on the course, and I am indebted to them. They saw Christ in me, and they were His hands and His heart to me. I am grateful for people who were patient enough to wait for my eyes to focus in on truth and have forgiven me when I failed time and time again.

God’s mercy is meant to be spent, and as Christ calls us in today’s Gospel (Matthew 25:45), we should be extending that mercy we have received to others. Who in your life is hungry, thirsty, unwelcomed, naked, sick and imprisoned? These unfortunate conditions aren’t always obvious, but we definitely have people in our lives who we can serve with Christ's hands. Perhaps there is a co-worker, a sibling, a friend in whom you struggle to see Christ.

He is there, waiting to be served.

"Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me’"(Matthew 25:40).

[bctt tweet="Thank God for His mercy, and for those who love Him. Those people extended His mercy to me. // @jacquiskemp" username="blessedisshe__"]

Serving others is a beautiful practice during Lent. Where can you volunteer to do this during this season?

Jacqueline Skemp is a daughter, sister, wife, and mother who endures living in Minnesota after leaving California for her one true love. She is a contributing author to our children's devotional prayer book called Rise Up. You can find out more about her here.