Our Heart

I must confess, I am a bit discouraged.

At the risk of repeating myself, Brighten A Corner Ministry was created for YOU, our volunteers. We know we can’t cure cancer, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, or chronic homelessness or any of the other stories that have touched our lives over the years. But we sincerely, humbly, prayerfully have embarked on a journey to help put feet to faith.

We believe with all our heart that YOUR life is made richer through serving HIM. I cannot begin to count the number of times people have gotten word they got the job they were hoping for, sold something that needed selling, got work lined up, received good news that had been prayed for at a project or during the preparation for a project. God does not owe us rewards for serving Him, but the Bible does say that we reap what we sow.

As a leadership team we work hard to make the opportunity to sow good seeds available to you, SO THAT YOU MAY REAP A HARVEST OF BLESSINGS. These are not just words to us. This is our heart that we pour out over and over again.

And yet as we get closer and closer to this next project the sound of crickets chirping can be heard each time we ask for volunteers.

Do you realize we can’t do this without you?

We know the fundamental truth that a lack of engagement is always a leadership issue. We take that to heart and will address this and seek ways (as we always do) to do this ministry with greater excellence. In the meantime, let me be clear about several things:

1. This is a good sized project. Yes, all the work will be outside, but as always we want to have a huge impact for the family. We NEED LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS!
2. We need you to sign up on the website. Please hear this gently, but saying “Sign me up” or assuming we know you’ll be there doesn’t help. We cannot responsibly move forward with projects if we don’t know people can help. And due to the progressive nature of what we do, we have to be able to organize the order of things based on who will be there when. Sign Up Here NOW!
3. There are some things I don’t understand. Last year we completed a project to come along side Jack’s Helping Hand. We partnered with them to organize a fundraiser to pay for a camp for kids with cancer. While the fundraiser was a huge success and paid for not one but two years of camp, we got very little support from our volunteers. Now, as we are trying to help a family whose ten year old son has stage four cancer AGAIN we are receiving very little support. Is there a gap when it comes to kids with cancer that I don’t understand? Help me with this, because I truly am a bit flummoxed.
4. Every part comes together to make the whole thing work. Every wheelbarrow full of dirt moved, every brush full of paint stroked, every plant planted, every meal served makes the beauty of Brighten A Corner come to life. This matters. YOU matter. You are precious and beloved.

We look forward to the camaraderie. We pray about the project and for the team. Our heart is for you even more so than for the recipient…because serving them is a one-time thing but doing life with you through service is our gig. It’s who we are. It’s why we’re here. IT IS OUR HEART.

Won’t you join us?