Christmas Hearts and Hands

There are all sizes and shapes of clocks in the world. But they all have one thing in common. It's what's inside that makes the hands go around.

We have a large and lovely decorator clock in our living area. As much as we have enjoyed the outer beauty, its unseen inner workings are the important thing. Thanks to movements in the heart, the clock’s hands go around, treating us to a short melody every hour.

The Apostle James wrote, “I’ll show you my faith by my deeds” (James 2:18). Faith is like the inner workings of our spiritual heart that moves our hands to do things. He wanted faith to produce some good deeds, something that would meet needs and bring people joy.

He gave us some practical illustrations (James 2:14-18). It’s not enough to say, “Go in peace, keep warm and be well fed.” If you are aware of a need, activate your faith. Do something!

In December, people’s hearts seem more motivated to give. Hands generously drop dollars into red kettles, collect items for food banks and toy drives, and buy gifts to meet needs on Angel Trees.

These donations are important and bless many, but charitable institutions and ministries meet needs all year. That’s why, like the inner workings of a clock, our heartfelt giving should not simply be seasonal!

It’s not necessary to produce good deeds as regularly as the hourly tunes on our anniversary clock, but when it comes to helping others, there's no need to have only Christmas hearts and hands.

Don’t wait to make a New Year’s resolution!

Resolve now to be motivated from heart to hands . . . to meet needs and show your faith. . . all year long!

Pixabay: Hand, Time; geralt. 

Love is More Than a Feeling

In marriage ceremonies, my minister husband always included these words: Love is more than a feeling. It was followed by a few simple reminders that love also included actions of caring and kindness. I’ve never forgotten how he put those words into action.

As a newlywed, I was heating spaghetti sauce in a Pyrex container with the required little wire underneath. Suddenly, the container exploded and spaghetti sauce was everywhere! I was not only shocked, but horrified. What a mess!

My husband came to check on the explosion. When he saw the mess, he said, “You go ahead and sit down. I’ll clean this up.”  What a guy! Right then, I knew his love was more than words or just a feeling.

Let’s focus on the practicality of love. Feelings of love are wonderful, uplifting, and exciting. We need them; however, love’s feelings need to be grounded in action.

It’s like a hot air balloon ride. You can enjoy the feeling of floating above the earth, enjoying the beauty of the day. But at some point, the balloon must land. Then you’re back to where actions are needed as well as feelings.

First Corinthians, Chapter Thirteen (1 Cor. 13:4-8) provides guidelines for love in action. If you haven’t read it lately, I urge you to do so.

Have you ever prayed, “Lord, help me to love by helping others in practical ways?” Here are some examples of this kind of love:

•   God loved the world and sent His Son, the perfect sacrifice for sin (John 3:16)
•   Jesus loved us and gave up His life for our salvation (John 10:17-18)
•   Joseph loved his brothers with forgiveness (Genesis 50:18-21)
•   Dorcas loved others by making clothing (Acts 9:36-42)
•   Paul loved by suffering hardships and persecution to share the gospel (2 Cor. 11:24-28)
•    Four men loved by lowering a friend on his stretcher to ask Jesus for help (Matt. 9:1-8)

You can probably think of your own Biblical examples.

This week, remember:

Love is more than a feeling!

What will you do to show love in practical ways?

Pixabay: Amour; OpenClipart-Vectors.

Who Cares

A lot of people care. I see it in friends and family, co-workers, and leaders of various kinds. Who would argue with the idea that the world is a better place because of people who care?

This week I was talking with someone whose life is taking an unexpected turn. He is close to retirement, but due to his wife’s health, he is becoming a caregiver.

As we talked, I was reminded of the daily challenges in my care-giving days. I had been retired one year when Dad needed help because he could no longer drive.

To this day I’m grateful my husband agreed and was willing to make necessary life adjustments to also help Dad. A few years later, I became a caregiver for my husband.

A caregiver’s life becomes the life of the cared for. As a widower, Dad was used to getting up and going to Denny’s for breakfast every day. I always enjoyed breakfast at home, so that was just one of my adjustments.

There were also challenges with all the doctor appointments and calls to the insurance company. Except for my bout with breast cancer, I’d been healthy and doctor visits were not ongoing.

When hospice was needed, they were a big help to me as well as Dad. It was a relief to be able to call his nurse if I had a question. But home health aides, the chaplain, and the social worker were also supportive and encouraging.

To me, caregiving was “tiring.” But in the conversation this week I heard the word “draining.” I think that’s a better word for it. After all, the person giving care is on tap 24/7.

Who cares? I’m hoping you do.

First a word for Caregivers: Love is expressed, said Jesus, by being willing to lay down your life for a friend (John 15:12-13). I’m sure this also applies to love in acts of service to family members.

Now a word to Non-Caregivers: The challenge this week is to consider how you can encourage a caregiver by showing them that YOU CARE!

Pixabay: Hands, Arms, Reading; GDJ. 

  

Me First

Do those two words bring negative thoughts to mind? They do me. Starting with toddlers whose favorite word is “Mine!” In other words, "Me first! No sharing with you!"

But as we grow, we learn that sharing can make the world a better place. Caring parents teach manners. Courtesy shows up as “you before me.”

I was surprised when my mind jumped to "me first" as a positive thing. In that sense, it meant, "Please allow me to let you go first." An example of that would be what we call "The Golden Rule." Does this ring a bell? Do to Others as You Would Have Them Do to You.

But other "Me Firsts" could include:

1. Refresh Others/Be Refreshed (Proverbs 11:25)
2. Cast Bread/It Returns (Ecclesiastes 11:1, Proverbs 19:17, Acts 10:1-8)
3. Sow/Reap (Galatians 6:7; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7)
4. God: The Example (Romans 5:8; John 3:16)

Let’s briefly explore these:

 1.       True refreshing gives careful consideration to other’s needs. They can turn up when least expected. When I fell and broke my femur, I was refreshed with three weeks of much-needed care (24/7) by friends and relatives.

 2.      Let’s consider “bread” as money. Many charities need bread cast their way; however, you can also cast your bread as kindness to people in your circle of acquaintances. God takes notice of those who give to the poor. In Acts, the story of a Roman Centurian illustrates this. He was a devout believer who gave to the poor and prayed daily. He was told God took notice and was answering his prayers.

3.       Sowing and reaping is such a basic illustration, who could miss it? Any gardener or farmer knows that sowing seeds sparingly results in a sparse harvest. But, little or much, it’s important also to be a cheerful giver.

4.       God set the “Me First” example. How? Paul said that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. God didn’t wait for us to earn salvation. He lovingly sent His Son, and the Son loved the Father and obeyed His Father’s will.

Since “Me First” can be negative or positive, here’s the challenge. How many ways can you avoid "Me First" as a negative this week, and make it a positive?

All scriptures from BSB (Berean Standard Bible)

Pixabay Illustration: Selfishness, Egotistical, Self-Love, by RosZie. 

 

The Practicality of Caring

THE PRACTICALITY OF CARING

Have you ever gone through hard times and been comforted by the concern of others?

When I was going through cancer treatments many people comforted me with things that had comforted them on their journey. The same thing happened when I became a caregiver for my father. And again, when he passed away.

Since taking my husband to the emergency room over a week ago, the practical side of caring has been on my mind.

When I facilitated grief recovery classes, one scripture we always discussed was Second Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV). God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others in trouble with the comfort we receive from God.

This exchange of receiving and giving is easily observed in a small group setting, but less obvious one-on-one. 

Either way, the practicality of caring is extremely valuable.

Much of its value lies in the variety of ways it is shown. If everyone did it the same way, life would be very bland.

While waiting for surgery, our pastor came to pray for my husband and serve him communion. Many friends sent messages to say you are in our prayers. 

The practicality of caring is in action, not theory.

The morning after surgery I walked in to see a smiley face and get-well balloon tied to the foot of the hospital bed. They brightened the room, but my husband was not very alert. When I questioned the nurse she said, "All I know is that two people came and said they were praying for him."

A friend, well-acquainted with my husband's love of cars, sent him a floral arrangement in a cute little roadster. People sent cards to our home. My brother sat with my husband and gave me a day of rest. The night I was called back to stay with my husband to calm him down, a friend responded to my request for some fast food.

The practicality of caring is knowing what you can do to please others, not yourself.  

We were blessed with many expressions of love and concern. I tried to answer texts, emails and phone calls daily. But after my husband's surgery, his recovery was slow and I was exhausted.

I sent a group email, letting people know I appreciated their concern but I would have to respond with group updates. I knew I was loved the next day when my phone had no texts or voice mails. People had sent brief, affirmative responses to my email, expecting no replies.

Have you experienced some comfort in trying times? God says it's a two-way street. He comforts us, we comfort others. Some people say that's paying it forward.

The practicality of caring is open to your interpretation. 

The important thing is to act on it.