April 5, 2016

Kindness Always Matters

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. -- 1 Peter 3:8-9

Were you popular in school? Were you part of the “in” crowd or did you find a special group to call your own? Did you ever feel left out?

Cliques are abundant in school. Really, they’re abundant everywhere. We see them in our churches. And we see them in the senior centers that dot our area. I don’t think cliques were part of God’s plan.

The local senior center is all about card playing. That’s wonderful if that’s something you enjoy. If not, well, you’re just out of luck. No one really wants to have anything to do with you unless you play cards.

Of course, some people love to play cards but as they’ve aged their abilities have declined. What happens when they can’t play as well as they once did? A dear neighbor has faced that. Her mind just isn’t what it once was. Playing cards is one of the few things she still enjoys but most people won’t play with her anymore.

Ah, the competitiveness of winning versus the compassion of playing with someone who can’t play so well anymore. Which would you choose? Most of the people choose not to play with her.

I understand why. It’s hard to think constantly for someone else even as you’re having to think for yourself. It takes the fun out of playing. Are you willing to sacrifice your time to be kind to someone else? Or do you want to play with your friends and let her be someone else’s problem?

There are so many things you could do at a senior center. You could play other games. Some people participate in crafts and one center even offers painting classes. Those big rocking chairs are there for a reason. We used to find joy in sitting around and talking. Whatever happened to that?

People who are declining in health as they age still have feelings. They might not be able to do the things they once did, but they still hurt when faced with rejection. It’s like not being chosen when we were all in grade school. Some things really never change.

At the end of the day, what really matters? Who won at cards or who showed compassion? Don’t make choices for the moment when all eternity beckons us to make choices that will matter forever.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Use God’s Gifts To Help

“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”

-- 1 Chronicles 29:14

How much money do you have? Do you have enough to meet your needs? Do you struggle to provide for your family? Do you willingly share what you have with those in need or do you keep your money close and save it for yourself?

At the end of his life, David gave his personal fortune to be used for building a Temple for God. He inspired others, including the leaders of his people, to give generously to the LORD. David was amazed that they had so much to give back to God. It was because God had been so generous with them.

The other day SARCOA kicked off its annual Santa for Seniors program. The website has a 97-page list of numbers (instead of names) of needy seniors. It lists things that they want. They don’t ask for computers or books or pretty jewelry. They want food, depends, ensure, warm socks, new underwear. One woman, who is all alone, just wants a pretty wrapped present to open on Christmas morning.

The stories will break your heart. And remind you of how fortunate and blessed you really are. Go look for yourselves. The site is open to anyone. There’s just something so sad about a person who struggles to have what most of us see as basic necessities in life.

The ones that hit me the hardest are the elderly citizens who are alone. They have no family, or at least none that care. One woman I know delivers meals to the homebound. She tells stories of how they beg her to come inside and visit. She’s the only person they see sometimes for days and days. And, for some, that meal is the only food they’ll get that day.

I looked at that list and ended up “adopting” two of the names on it. I hope others will pitch in too. But I just couldn’t turn away. I mean, really, how hard is it to pick up an extra package of toilet paper at the store? Surely I can find money for a warm sweater or a package of depends.

So I’ll ask you again: How much money do you have? There’s some senior citizens in our area who could really use a helping hand.