Its the Little Things that Count

      In this season when we think about gift giving, we often think of the big things we can buy or do for the ones we love; yet, in reality, the love of Christ is best demonstrated in the small acts of kindness we do for others.  Let me give an example.

     This year, Thanksgiving was different for us.  Having had knee surgery, I wasn't able to stand for hours working on pies and various side dishes. So, our children volunteered to make all the sides, get the desserts and cook the turkey.  They took care of the dishes as well, and as an added bonus, they got out our Christmas decorations and put them up for us.  This was such a blessing!  This is the type of gift that money cannot buy.  We often overlook these little things but Jesus reminded his disciples in Luke 16:10a:  "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much..."  Character is often revealed in the many small acts of kindness we show to others.

     During this time of celebrating the birth of Christ, what are some of the little things we can do, then, to bless others?  Some are so simple, we might overlook them.  I belong to a Post Polio Support Group and a member once mentioned that she felt overlooked when she was in a store because she was riding a scooter.  She said that people rarely take time to look at her since she is
seated when passing them.  I picked up on this, and now, when I am in a store, I take the time to look at those in a wheelchair or on a scooter and look them in the eye.  A smile and a kind word go a long way.  Acknowledging someone rather than ignoring them is a gift of love to that person.

     Another little thing we can do is to call someone and ask how they are doing.  Phone calls are the next best thing to an actual physical visit.  At this time, many are uncomfortable with in person get togethers, but we have things like FaceTime, Zoom, Facebook Messenger video chat and other possibilities.  When God lays a person on your heart, take it as a reminder to contact them and pray with them.  It could make their day!

     Sending a card or a note in the mail is also a blessing.  I often think of Berdene Johnson (now home with the Lord) who had a faithful  card ministry.  Every year, she sent my husband and I a card on our anniversary.  Few people even remember your wedding day so its a treat to receive a special card.  Being remembered by Christian friends can lift a heart.

     Finally, we can offer a helping hand if someone is moving or needs some cleaning done.  This is a blessing if the person is ill or just needs assistance with a big job that needs to be completed.  While we are helping them, we can be sharing the love of Christ with them as well.  Fellowship and work often go hand in hand.  Proverbs 3:27 tells us:  "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it."  This is a great reminder to all of us to do those little things we often neglect.

     Our lives keep us busy with so many activities daily that it is easy to overlook the little things that could make the lives of others so much better.  We take it for granted that friends and family know we love them, but when we show them by blessing them in a simple manner, it enriches not only their life but ours as well.   Let us look for ways to shine the light of Christ into the hearts of those around us this Christmas season.  We will never regret the time we spend in doing the little things for others.  Selah!

In His Time

     When 2020 began, we all had high hopes of what the new year would bring.  For me, I was looking forward to a partial knee replacement on January 29th so I could enjoy going for walks again.  The surgery went well, and I completed my rehab feeling confident  I could again enjoy the outdoors.  However, as we all know, March came rolling around with the threat of COVID and this curtailed much of our activities.  Still, I was able to get out for walks on a regular basis.

     Something happened during the summer though which changed the picture for me.  I don't know how it happened but the outside of my post op knee became damaged and extremely painful.  When I returned to my doctor, he told me the only long term fix would be to take out  the partial replacement and do a full knee replacement.  This isn't exactly what I had hoped for, but God does work all things together for good.  I began the pre-op work up in August for a possible September surgery date.  Then the roadblocks came along with heart testing and a biopsy on my lung.  All checked out well after several months of tests and I am now happy to say I had the full knee replacement on November 2nd.   Yes, I have to go through rehab again and "no" I do not like it, but it is part of the process of healing.  Like all things in life, there are some things we love to do and some things we "must" do whether we like it or not.

     In my many years of walking with the Lord, I have discovered that when I make time daily for the Lord my entire day goes much more smoothly.  There are, honestly, days when I
do not feel like taking the time to be in prayer or Bible study.  So what happens to us if we choose to make this our routine?  Let me suggest that it is very much like having knee surgery and not doing the exercises afterwards.  Following the procedure, the muscles are swollen, traumatized and weak.  They need exercise to prevent scar tissue from forming that makes movement painful.  I have talked with people whose family member went through knee surgery and refused to exercise on a regular basis.  Their loved one eventually was limited in range of motion and movement.  To me, that defeats the purpose of going through the surgery.  Joint replacement is painful, but living with chronic pain and not being able to walk very far is a greater limitation.  The same is true in our spiritual lives.

     There are days when we must give the Lord a sacrifice of praise because it may be hard to rejoice in that moment.  Perhaps reading Scripture is not something we feel like doing, but when we apply ourselves, God speaks to our hearts.  Even prayer may be strained on some days due to the burdens we are carrying.  Yet, when we push through the excuses, the feelings and lack of enthusiasm, we find that making time for the Lord is like sitting beside a refreshing stream.  We come away blessed and filled with the bread of life.  By the same token, if we ignore our duty to God, our days become emptier and our spiritual muscles weaker.

     Probably within this next week, I will begin regular rehab appointments with a physical therapist.  Does it hurt?  Yes.  Do I want to do it if given the choice?  No.  But...I want to grow strong so I can walk again and enjoy the world around me.  This will take time but I am reminded of the Scripture in Ecclesiastes 3:11:  "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."  On this earth, we may not fully grasp what the Lord has accomplished for us as we walk through the ups and downs of life.  However, we know that what He has made is good and beautiful according to His time not ours.

     Just as I must practice my exercises with fidelity, so we must also train our hearts to be faithful daily to the call of time alone with our Savior.  We must not neglect these exercises which will give us strength.  Prayer, Bible study and making time for fellowship with other believers will help us grow strong in Christ.  Selah!

Being Salt and Light in a World that Needs Both

     Many years ago, while traveling with my parents, we stopped at a restaurant to catch a bite to eat.  My father reached for the salt shaker and went to shake it on his food.  Unfortunately, someone had left the lid of the shaker unscrewed and out came the entire contents on his food. Needless to say, he was not amused or pleased.  He did his best to scrape off what he was able to so he could eat his food.  Hard to know if this was a trick played by an ornery patron who had come before us thinking it would be funny or if the restaurant staff had not finished the job of replacing the cap properly.  However, we know that too much salt can ruin a good meal.

     Jesus spoke about salt and light in the context of our lives in His Sermon on the Mount.  This message was meant for believers both to exhort and direct their lives.  In Mathew 5:13-16, we read:  "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?  It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.  You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."  Thinking about both the elements of light and salt we have been entrusted by our Savior with an important call.

     When we think about salt, several uses come to mind.  Salt is a preservative.  In ancient times, it was used to preserve meats and foods that would easily spoil.  Salt is also used for flavoring our foods, but if used in excess, it can spoil the taste and
also raise blood pressure.   Often, we use salt to kill bacteria in our mouth if used for a rinse.  This is true after certain dental procedures.  Most importantly, we need salt in our bodies for balance of electrolytes, for our nervous system and muscle function.  With all these natural functions in mind, why did Jesus use this to refer to believers?

     As Christians, we are to add flavor to the world around us, to preserve it by speaking the truth in love.  My children will tell you that at times I may be a bit too salty in my approach to matters, but we live in a world that has moved far from the values and foundation in the Bible.  In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus clearly said that He did not come to abolish the Laws that God the Father had set down but to fulfill them.  We are called to do the same.  We are to walk according to the Word of God not changing or making excuses for it.  The question comes, "Can we lose our saltiness?"  I believe we can, and we must guard against this.

     If salt gets wet, it tends to break down and lose the effectiveness it had when dry. Likewise, diluting it by mixing it with another powdered substance can also reduce its effectiveness.   In the same manner, if we start absorbing ideas from the culture around us and make excuses for sinful behavior, we lose our spiritual saltiness.  We know people who profess Jesus with their mouth but their lives do not seem to bear any fruit of real repentance or change.  We are called to holy living which often exposes us to criticism and ridicule.  Though this may be tough to face, our Lord has called us to be the flavor and preservative in this world.

     Christ also calls us to be light.  This brings to mind our trip to Mammoth Cave.  We were taken down into the depths of the earth and the guide told us he was going to show us how dark it was in a cave.  When he turned out the lights, it was pitch black.  No one could see anything or anyone.  Then, he lit a match.  That one little match pierced the darkness, and we could see again.  This is what we are to be in the world filled with spiritual darkness.  People are blinded to the truth and are stumbling their way through life.  However, we can bring the light of hope to them through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We were not redeemed to hide away.  We were brought to salvation to shine our light in this world so that men may find their way to God and give Him the glory.  Like the sign on the back of many trucks, "How are we doing?"

     At this moment in history, there is a great deal of turmoil, unrest, and dissension.  We are called to stand on the firm foundation of God's Word without wavering in our daily walk, our voting, in our conversation.  Just as Jesus was not popular when He walked on earth, we have been told we will not be either.  Salt stings sin and light pushes out the darkness and both will fight back.  Yet our Savior would remind us not to let our hearts be troubled for He has overcome this world, and we, too, will also overcome in His power and strength.  Let us go forth boldly, then, to be the salt and light that men may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.  Selah!