Do not neglect the gift

               you have,

which was given you...

Practice these things,

immerse yourself in them...

            1 Timothy 4. 14-15

(We have all been gifted

    with ministries

                (plural)

to love others,

to build the Kingdom,

to be a witness,

to worship God.

.....even in situations

   that we don't consider

          as "ministry."

Fulfill what God has

    placed before you,

work at it,

be mindful of opportunities,

recognizing what we can do,

   trusting God in what we can't,

to be His witness in this,

and practice the hard passages

         over and over,

   until they become second nature

                in how to respond.

Just because it is difficult

   does not mean that

   God is not in this,

nor that we are not gifted,

       but maybe even more.)

O LORD,

Help us to take the nametags off

   what we think of ministry,

and realize that in You

        all is ministry.

All that we do

         and all that we are

   comprise worship to You

         --the being and the doing.

Help us by Your strength

   to love others

   right into Your arms

and to tend with all grace

              and diligence

this little patch of the Kingdom

      You have given us

      to nurture and cultivate

             and sow with Your love.