Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Love Travels From Heart to Heart

Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. -- 1 Timothy 5:3-5

Yesterday I attended the funeral of a dear lady. She was two months shy of 89 years old. Her family gathered round. Her friends remembered. There was music and a sermon as the skies poured water on the earth.

She was a widow twice over. She never had children. She could have lived a life of sorrow. Instead, she lived a life of love. She drew people to her with her laughter and good nature. She “adopted” many children over the years, loving her nieces and nephews, neighbors and friends.

The preacher remembered that she was always particular about her appearance. Her hair, makeup, and clothing was stylish and just right all the time. Yet she was just the sort who would be out picking up pecans or canning vegetables. She grew up working and really never stopped until her health sent her to the nursing home.

As she aged, as her health began to fail, those she had loved rallied to care for her. We picked up her pecans. We gathered vegetables for her. We visited. We picked her up when she fell. We loved her like she had loved us.

A wonderful friend rode with us. She’s almost blind now and she needed a ride. A friend reaching out to a friend. A community -- God’s people -- taking care of its own. Seeing a need. Reaching out. And being glad to do it.

I have to believe that’s what Paul was talking about. Helping people. Yes, we’re to take care of our own families and do for them. But we’re also supposed to take care of those who really don’t have anybody else or who aren’t cared for as they should be. It’s not somebody else’s “problem.” It’s our responsibility as Christians. We forget that sometimes.

We forget to be kind. And compassionate. We forget to make time. We forget to include people in our lives. Where do people who are alone go on holidays? Who remembers their birthdays? Who takes them out to eat, or to the grocery store, or calls to check on their day? No one -- unless we do.

This dear woman fed her neighbors every night while their kitchen was being remodeled. She cared for her older brother while his wife was hospitalized. She kept great-grandchildren that were not hers. She cared with her actions and with her life. How could we do any less for her?

God puts people in our lives for a reason. Look around. Is there someone you need to notice? Someone you should visit? Someone who would love to be a part of your life?