To See All

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.’ – (Matthew 25:40, NIV)

“Then the King will answer, ‘The truth is, anything you did for any of My people here, you also did for me.’ – (Matthew 25:40, ERV)

Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was Me – you did it to Me.’ – (Matthew 25:40, MSG)

God’s word tells us that however we treat those around us, is how we are treating Him. When we care for the lonely, forgotten, or overlooked, we are demonstrating our love for God. The Lord takes our attitude and approach toward others personally. When we are kind, loving and generous, He recognizes our words and deeds as a sort of worship unto Him. In the same way that Christ loves and cares for us, we are to do to all those around us. This sort of care does not come naturally, yet the more we know and love the Lord, the more we have a heart for all of His creation. As we begin to view others through His lens, we see both the value and the needs in those around us. Though we cannot do all things for all people, we can choose to love and give as He leads us. Seeing, acknowledging, and extending kindness costs us nothing, yet at times, is everything to the recipient. May we ever seek the Lord to give us His eyes to see those around us, and His heart to love as He loves us all.

Lord, help us to see,

The world through Your eyes;

Where love reaches out,

As hope comes alive.

May we see unseen,

Attend the ignored;

Give to forgotten,

Let hope be outpoured.

For where there is love,

Goodness is made known;

All people are seen,

As Your heart is shown.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to see and love people as You do. Thank You that Your heart is for all people, and You prioritize the lonely and forgotten. Forgive us for the times that we have neglected to see, acknowledge, and love those around us that are often overlooked. Teach us to seek You to have Your eyes to see the need all around us, and Your heart to love as You intended. Lead us in tangible ways to extend love, kindness and hope to those who may feel like things are hopeless. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, where hope is found and value is made clear in the light of Your perfect and overwhelming love. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us in loving all people well. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34

Inventive in Hospitality

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. – (Romans 12:13, NIV)

Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. – (Romans 12:13, MSG)

When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. – (Romans 12:13, NLT)

 

If ever there was a time to do as we are called to do, now is the time. Sharing and extending help to those in need is a necessity as businesses are having to close their doors if they cannot be sustained through online ordering or curbside pickup. I love how the Message translation says, “be inventive in hospitality.” This is indeed required, as social distancing transforms the traditional perception of hospitality. However, for fun, I checked the dictionary definition, and discovered that it pairs well with being inventive in hospitality. According to dictionary.com, hospitality is: the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way. As far as I can fathom, it is not required to have someone into a home or a space that violates the social distancing expectations, to extend warmth, kindness and generosity. If we watch and listen, we are able to discover needs and do what we can, where we can. Yesterday, I had the privilege of participating at one of my school district’s breakfast and lunch distribution sites, as our union has partnered with nutrition services to lend a hand and be familiar faces for families as they drive through to pick up meals. A fellow teacher from my school and I, worked together with three incredible ladies from nutrition services. One, I discovered, was the mom of a terrific young man whom I had known throughout my schooling days, the second, was a sweet mom of two young kids who were waiting at home, and the third, was the incredible woman who runs the kitchen right there at the high school. We all worked together to keep the supply on the table for distribution, as families trickled through the bus loop to pick up meals. It was a treasure to exchange smiles and friendly greetings, even from our safe distances, as the sun was out and it was clear that all were in appreciation of the hospitality our district is extending.

As for Mom, she is doing fairly well, considering she is stuck in quarantine with NO VISITORS allowed. The only people permitted to see her are her therapists and those who work onsite. No family, friends or the like. We know it is good and necessary for prevention, but a bummer for someone as social as Mom. Phone calls, messages, and mail are always good, and I imagine the same is true for anyone living in a senior living community. In fact, if you are looking for an activity for kids to do at home that is an art/writing combination, making cards and or drawing pictures to send to loved ones in quarantine, or to local senior living facilities would be amazing. It is a simple way that even the youngest among us can learn to practice being inventive in hospitality. May we all look for ways to reach out, safely, to help bless and meet needs where we are able.

 

We have been chosen,

To love and reach out;

Do what we’re able,

To help those without.

As God’s created,

We are made to love;

To extend and give,

Place people above.

Let not the lonely,

Stay trapped in alone;

A call, card or text,

Can make them feel known.

For physical lack,

Let’s rise up and give;

Where we are able,

To help others live.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to take care of one another. Thank You that in trying times, we are meant to share one another’s burdens. Show us how to be inventive in hospitality, so that we may treat those around us in warm, friendly and generous ways. Forgive us for thinking that we have nothing to offer, or that there is no safe way to be hospitable in times like these. Teach us to trust You to lead and guide us in ways that You have for us to extend hospitality to others. Show us how to love those around us in generous, tangible and practical ways. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to show us where we are meant to extend our time, talent or resources to bless those around us. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. – Proverbs 11:25