The following is a devotion written by Kim Noble:

1 Peter 4:10
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.

Many of us, myself included, struggle to discern what gifts we have. God has given each of us many gifts and we are called to use them in the service of others. At first serving others isn't always easy to do, but the more you do it the easier and more rewarding it becomes. My husband Dan and I are particularly fond of serving at GRACE Ministries. We have gotten to know many of the folks that come through and we are as happy to see them as they are to see us! Some of the comments we hear from our neighbors are:

- This is how I make it through each month.
- I have been blessed by God today.
- I don’t need that. Please give it to someone else.
- Thank you. Just thank you.

December GRACE Ministries is especially touching as many families are anxious about being able to put gifts under the Christmas tree for their children. CUMC has an amazing toy ministry and there are so many grateful families. It's a wonderful feeling to give a child a toy that he or she may not have otherwise received. Our neighbors need us. And we need them. Every once and a while a person comes along that really touches your heart. This month's January GRACE Ministries day was just such a day.  A woman I had never seen before asked if she could tell me something. She pulled me aside and thanked me and all those serving for what we do. She told me that her husband was at home dying of cancer and that's why she needed to come to GRACE Ministries on that day. With tears in my eyes, I hugged her tightly and told her I would pray for her. You never know where people may be in their lives because they don't always share their struggles. This was clearly difficult for her. I was blessed by her courage and very grateful to be part of a congregation that makes our neighbors a top priority. If you haven't found a place to get involved, please realize that you will be blessed abundantly while striving to serve others in Jesus' name. Amen.

Matthew 25:40
And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’