December 2
“Give and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure---pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” Luke 6:38
“But in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4
A principle I have learned over the years that has been reiterated to me again and again is that the more I focus on my problems and the difficulties in my life the more miserable I am, but if I take my attention off me and focus on the needs of others, I experience joy and contentment in my own life. There are needs all around us. You just have to open your eyes to see people who are hurting, lonely and in pain. We all know people who are sick at home or in the hospital. There are elderly people who have been stuck in their homes for months on end because they are too scared to go out. Many people have lost their jobs, single moms are unable to buy Christmas presents for their children, and people are struggling to pay their electric bill. We know healthcare workers who are exhausted from long hours and have emotional scars from losing so many patients under their care. There are lots of single people who are lonely and depressed. I could go on and on.
Last year during the lockdown, I challenged myself to find one person every day to do something for. It wasn’t anything major. I sent cards, dropped off homemade treats, made phone calls, ran errands and made small gifts. I asked God to open my eyes every day and show me people who I could help, and He did. He brought people to mind that I hadn’t thought of in a long time and people I saw all the time. I don’t know if the things I did really helped them, but I can tell you that I was blessed. God filled me with joy and filled those days with many happy memories. This year I have tried to continue to be attentive to the needs of those around me. I have not done something daily but have tried to make this more of a priority in my life.
My challenge to you is that you would do the same thing. Ask God to open your eyes and show you people who need encouragement and love. Everyday make it a priority to do something for someone in need. Offer to babysit for that single mom who just needs an afternoon to herself, take a sweet treat to your favorite doctor/nurse, or visit an elderly neighbor who is all alone. Call or text or zoom someone who needs encouragement. Take a meal to someone in quarantine or run an errand for someone who can’t get out. The smallest things can make a major difference. Just knowing you care can have a profound impact on someone’s life. And you will be amazed what a difference it will make in your life as well.
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