3 John 1:2
Dear friend, I am praying that all is well with you and that your body is as healthy as I know your soul is.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
This
morning as I left the pool at our local Aquatic Center, I met my Mam-ma
Polly’s best friend, Ruby. She was just getting into the therapy pool
for a morning exercise class. Ruby has a number of health issues,
including diabetes and neuropathy. She is also 95 years young, still
lives in her own home, and drives her own car...even to the community
Aquatic Center on a rainy Monday morning! If Ruby misses a church
service or Sunday school, you know that she is more than a little under
the weather!
Ruby is like my Mam-ma Polly – she comes from “good
stock!” She has endured a number of challenges and heartaches in her
life, including the deaths of two husbands and her daughter. Ruby took
it hard when Mam-ma Polly had to move to the Assisted Living Facility –
and even harder when she went to heaven. Mam-ma Polly was Ruby’s
“partner in crime” in many things for a number of years! You hardly saw
one without the other, so I know she has been lonely without her
friend.
Still, Ruby is one of the most upbeat and cheerful women I
know...and she reminds me of the “Engergizer® Bunny”! Her soul is
incredibly healthy, even as her body ages and declines...and I don’t
think this is any accident. I’ve known quite a few remarkable men and
women who lived well into their 90s...and some to nearly 100. And when I
say “lived well”...I mean, they lived well! If you take a good
look at these amazing role models, you can see a common thread...they
all have/had healthy souls! Their hearts belong to Jesus...they trust
Him to meet their needs and keep them upright and moving forward...and
they eagerly and joyfully anticipate spending eternity in His presence!
There
are “Rubys” and “Pollys” in our midst...and we would do well to watch
and learn from their extraordinary examples of faith and Christian
service. Look around you and see who demonstrates a healthy soul – even
when their body may not be serving them so well. Pay attention to how
they persevere...what keeps them motivated and encouraged. Learn from
their “spiritual fitness regimen”... and incorporate their methods into
your own life.
Many of us have a role model for physical
fitness...and/or someone to whom we look for guidance in business and
personal matters. And our “health” in these areas is important to God.
But fewer of us have found a role model for a healthy “faith walk,” and
it’s time we made this a priority. There are people around us who are,
for the most part, getting it right! Ask God to reveal their
presence...then pay attention to how they serve Him! Thank God for
examples of “good stock” who trust Him for their health and well-being
in every area of their lives...and take a page from their book for your
own circumstances.
Dear friend, I am praying that all is well
with YOU this day, and that your body - AND your soul - are both very
well and healthy.
©2014 Debbie Robus
No comments:
Post a Comment