So many wise older adults at church for me to learn from and they are such great examples by the self-denying, pious way they live. I am so blessed to be able to learn from them!
Recently while planning the Summer Fair Ministry Booth, disagreements rose among members of the planning team. Someone with whom I was good friends suddenly became unkind and offensive toward me. I prayed that Jesus would help us all to live in peace, love, and harmony and restore our fellowship with one another, since we are One Body in Christ. Today, we had a planning meeting at church and I felt the Holy Spirit acting through me. The way that God restores and heals relationships is by making us die unto ourselves (our ego, our pride, our selfishness, our ways, our opinions), treating them not the way they treat us but by loving them unconditionally, finding things to agree on, helping us to focus on providing for the other person’s needs (not our own), and by giving to them. If we recall our early childhood, many friends are formed because one child gave or shared something with another. As soon as I had the opportunity to talk to her, I offered her oranges, which she accepted. She gave me an odd look at first, but I continued to smile and be friendly. Then for the meeting, I motioned my hand for her join us. During the meeting, I enthusiastically agreed with several points she made and listened to her speak when everyone else wasn’t. Very quickly, she started to smile at me again and we were talking like the friends we were before. She even made a positive remark toward the work I did so far. After the meeting, I continued to look out for her interests and noticed that there were no vegetarian options available at the lunch provided at church. I apologized to her and told her that we should’ve been more considerate to everyone’s nutritional diets. Afterwards, I went to pick up donations for the Ministry Booth and when I returned to church a few hours later, I saw her again. I greeted her joyfully and enthusiastically. Finally, when I was leaving to go home, I specifically acknowledged her and bid her farewell. She responded well and everything between us was OK again. This was such a relief and a tremendous blessing! Thank you God! “If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also everyone for those of others” (Philippians 2:1-4).
On my walk to church this morning, I encountered a homeless man sleeping under a bridge. I happened to be carrying a large bag of oranges and cereal that I was going to donate to church. When I first passed by this man, I had a strong desire to give him something. Then I thought, “If I talk to him or give him something, he might follow me” and the road that I was on was very quiet and empty with no one in sight. But then I quickly realized that this thought was a focus on the self instead of on others. I felt moved by the Holy Spirit to give him something and I knew that God would protect me from harm, as He always does. God lets me take care of others and God takes care of me. So I turned around and offered him an orange, but he said “No, thank you.” What touched me was how grateful he was. He was lying down under layers of blankets and he may have just woken up. He was so gracious and immediately got up just because I was talking to him, like he didn’t want to be an inconvenience to people. He surprised me by how polite and courteous he was! He was such a gentleman and I was able to see Jesus through him. What a blessing this man was to me and I would not have received this blessing had I decided not to turn around and talk to him! After he refused the orange, I thought about how thirsty I am every morning when I wake up and how everyone needs water. Maybe this man needs water. So I offered him water and he said yes! I also got the opportunity to wish him a good day! Very grateful for every opportunity that God gives me to perform the corporal works of mercy and to encounter Jesus in everyone.
Got the opportunity to visit the home of my friend, who happens to be a religious nun, and enjoy wonderful spiritual conversations with her!
We continue to receive many generous and useful donations of books, CDs, DVDs, and pamphlets for our Ministry Booth!