As Mother's Day comes and goes, I am so grateful for all of the women who have been there at one time or another to love on me when I needed it most. I have lived in enough different places, far away from relatives, to appreciate the blessing of friends who act like family.
Whether it is a child's birthday party, a health scare, new baby arrival, any of the drama that happens in our lives; a friend that shows up when you are in need, is a true friend. But what do they do after all? Show up with a gift, a shoulder to cry on, food to eat, or a helping hand when the load is heavy. Yet each part they play in our lives, large or small, becomes a bit of our story.
Even as time passes and we move away from each other, we still have a part of them with us. For a short time, an older couple in our church took us under their wings, loving on and encouraging us in our parenting and Christian walk here and there as opportunity arose. The wife shared how she used to believe that if you worked hard to love and trust God and stayed true to what He showed you, He would give you big and important things to do. Then God showed her that loving and befriending others, being good neighbors, kindness to strangers, sacrifices she made of herself for others, these bits were the important work.
Our hand of friendship, hello to a neighbor, smile to a stranger, thoughtfulness to someone with a need, can mean much more than we know. Just as most people do not know our whole story, we do not know theirs. So when we reach out in God's love - we are being his hands and feet- we are doing the important thing.
As I was writing this I thought about the poem that is credited to Mother Theresa, a woman who tenderly loved and cared for the abandoned and outcast in India. She had adjusted a poem written by a professor who was writing a guide for student leaders. For this kind of teaching, we would all benefit from going back to school.
Poem and info found at: http://prayerfoundation.org/mother_teresa_do_it_anyway.htm
Whether it is a child's birthday party, a health scare, new baby arrival, any of the drama that happens in our lives; a friend that shows up when you are in need, is a true friend. But what do they do after all? Show up with a gift, a shoulder to cry on, food to eat, or a helping hand when the load is heavy. Yet each part they play in our lives, large or small, becomes a bit of our story.
Even as time passes and we move away from each other, we still have a part of them with us. For a short time, an older couple in our church took us under their wings, loving on and encouraging us in our parenting and Christian walk here and there as opportunity arose. The wife shared how she used to believe that if you worked hard to love and trust God and stayed true to what He showed you, He would give you big and important things to do. Then God showed her that loving and befriending others, being good neighbors, kindness to strangers, sacrifices she made of herself for others, these bits were the important work.
Our hand of friendship, hello to a neighbor, smile to a stranger, thoughtfulness to someone with a need, can mean much more than we know. Just as most people do not know our whole story, we do not know theirs. So when we reach out in God's love - we are being his hands and feet- we are doing the important thing.
and whatever you do, do it with kindness and love.
1 Corinthians 16:14 TLB
Dear Lord, please help us to lift up our heads from the busyness of our own lives, to reach out to the people you bring across our paths, whether with a smile, a word of thanks, or more. Please help us to recognize each opportunity You send our way, no matter how dirt-covered or tear-stained it may appear. In Jesus name, amen.
Written by Mary M. Wilkins
As I was writing this I thought about the poem that is credited to Mother Theresa, a woman who tenderly loved and cared for the abandoned and outcast in India. She had adjusted a poem written by a professor who was writing a guide for student leaders. For this kind of teaching, we would all benefit from going back to school.
The Paradoxical Commandments
by Dr. Kent M. Keith
- People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway. - If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway. - If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway. - The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway. - Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway. - The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway. - People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway. - What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway. - People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway. - Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.
© 1968, 2001 Kent M. Keith
"The Paradoxical Commandments" were written by Kent M. Keith in 1968 as part of a booklet for student leaders.
Poem and info found at: http://prayerfoundation.org/mother_teresa_do_it_anyway.htm
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