Deuteronomy 15:10-11
Give freely and spontaneously.
Don’t have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like this triggers
God, your God’s, blessing in everything you do, all your work and
ventures. There are always going to be poor and needy people among you.
So I command you: Always be generous, open purse and hands, give to your
neighbors in trouble, your poor and hurting neighbors.
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
This morning, I rode with
Greg as he delivered Meals on Wheels to better than a half-dozen senior
citizens in our community. As we “made the rounds” this very hot July day, I thought
of the people who are served. I noted the dilapidated condition of some
of the homes…and how others are well tended. We commented that in many
of the latter cases, there is probably someone – or a group of people –
who “see after” these people and make sure that the house and yard are
nicely kept and appointed…and that other needs are met.
Riding
with Greg on these deliveries is always bittersweet. On the one hand, I
am so proud of the service he provides…and how deeply he cares about
“his people.” I know they are grateful for his visits – even when they
only last a couple of minutes.
But I am also saddened to think of
the countless people - in our community alone - who are in need…not
necessarily of money – or even the daily hot meal…but something perhaps
even more valuable. These people need human contact…the smiling face
and concern of someone who truly cares about them. It is amazing how
much thoughtfulness can be conveyed in just a couple of minutes.
I
would be willing to bet that every day around noon, there are a few
dozen folks in our community whose lives are brightened by the knock on
their door from a Meals on Wheels volunteer. There are probably dozens
more who have a better day because a Home Health aide or nurse
visits…and while they are paid to do so, theirs is most certainly a
labor of love in large degree.
We cannot all deliver Meals on
Wheels or become Home Health aides. We can’t all be foster parents or
volunteer at the animal shelter or the soup kitchen. We don’t all have
extra cash lying around that we can distribute to those with financial
needs. But here’s what we do all have…the ability to give of the
heart. And if you look closely at these verses, you see that it says to
“open your purse…and your hands.”
Look around…there is something you can do. There is someone
who has a need that you can meet…whether it is to visit with a neighbor
and ask, “How are you doing?”(and mean it!)…or to talk with someone who
is going through a situation with which you have experience - and offer
some hints, tips, and commiseration. There are people who need a hug
or a smile…and those who could use a word of encouragement. The next
time you bake a cake or cookies…why not share half with a neighbor or
friend who is unable to bake because of physical restraints or lack of
time?
Offer someone a ride – to run errands, visit the doctor,
or just visit another friend. Buy the 10-lb bag of potatoes that is
cheaper than just purchasing just a few – and share the extras with a
single person or elderly neighbors on fixed incomes. Offer to walk a
friend’s dog while he/she recovers from an accident or illness. Ask a
teacher if you can do anything to help him/her get ready for school this
fall. There are name tags to cut out, bulletin boards to prepare…and
children to watch while Mom and/or Dad spends the last days of summer
vacation in the classroom working on projects.
In short, open your eyes and ears to the needs right around you. Not every act of “giving” involves money. And one of the best
ways to give back to others is through prayer. We often say, “All I
can do is pray.” What we fail to recognize is that often, prayer is not
only the most important gift we can offer…it truly is enough!
I
came away from today’s delivery with a humble heart and a renewed desire
to be more open and available to the ways that I can serve the “poor
and needy” in my own back yard. It’s was just the jolt I needed…and I
hope I have motivated you, as well. Are you ready to open your heart
and hands to the “poor and needy” in your midst? Will this be the day
that you get started?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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