Denice Perkins

I promised to let you get to know me better. I’ve told you before that my priorities are God, family and service to others. The past two weeks have taught me it can all come at once and leave you exhausted. Here’s a brief account of the activities of my last two weeks.

My husband and I have attended five school musical concerts for our grandchildren encompassing grades three through eleven, and one dance recital which included four of our grandchildren. I attended one soccer game for our youngest grandson. Wow, just seeing all that on the page makes me tired.

For church, I’ve printed bulletins, typed sermons, done laundry after my husband cleaned up water spills generated by his work on the church’s plumbing. We’ve attended regular services, of course. Helped members with transportation to services and assisted with the care of an ailing member. We had a potluck dinner today after church, too.

My intent here is not to glorify myself. There is nothing about me that is worth glorification. I’m only sharing to give you some insight into my life. What I do for my congregation, I do out of love, not for any acclamation. I like it best when what I do flies under everyone’s radar. I truly believe we are to give in secret.  

² Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ³ But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. (Matthew 6:2-4)

I also work part-time for a local nonprofit. I live in a small town which suffers from years of neglect. Our goal is to save the town’s history by supporting its restoration and beautification. We raise funds for our town through the operation of a boutique thrift store. I work in the store twelve hours a week. In my spare time at home, I help by posting advertisements for the store and our current stock on our Facebook page.

Overtime, the store accumulated so much overstock the city gave us an unfinished space to house it. We spent most of our available time over the last week and half clearing and cleaning the space, moving in tables and shelving, hanging decor on the 2×4 walls, just generally making it a place to have our first “rust and dust” sale. The sale was a big success, beyond anything we’d hoped. I’m looking forward to our future sales in that space as they are needed. I am thankful all the work it took to have this first sale, is behind us.

Most of my life is much less busy than these last two weeks were. Usually, I have Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays to fill at my discretion. Even though I sit here exhausted this afternoon, I am thankful for that exhaustion. I am thankful for all the new people I’ve met, the people I have been able to help. I am thankful for all the special people that have stepped in to support me in ways I never expected. God has blessed me with a purpose for my life, serving my brothers and sisters in Christ, supporting my family, and my community. I cannot begin to share with you the love I’ve received through this purpose God gave me. I am thankful even for exhaustion. Tomorrow I will be thankful for rest.

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)