The "Things" of Others

KJV

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others

Romans 15:1

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.

(NASB ©1995)

This morning these two verses were in my face when I got up . Not the verses themselves but the principle. I got up and got my kids lunches packed, prepared my "5" point Weight Watchers breakfast and sat down at the computer to read a few blog. I was moved by
Valerie's latest entry. ( Her link is on the side of my blog) Her blog was simply about running late for a routine walk with a friend and how God's providence took them by the home of a fellow church member. Upon arriving they saw an ambulance. The man had recently been diagnosed with cancer. What impressed me the most is that she and her friend were "sensitive" to listen to the Holy Spirits prodding.....prodding to do what you say??? To stop what they were doing and engage themselves in something that would bear someones burdens...they stopped in the drive of that man's home to pray for that family. I immediately thought of two verses , the ones I posted above. Sometimes we are strong when others are weak and we can bear their burdens in many way. We often take the "easy" way out , don't we. I think if I read the blog correctly they even went to the door to tell the family they were praying. I'm not sure why those two simple acts moved me so much, but I so appreciate their willingnesss to "get involved" even if ever in such a small way. Although interceding for others is no small calling.

I remember when we lived in VA I had a friend that I loved dearly...about 11 years younger than me. She had 5 beautiful children, one very small. In the midst of the time I knew her many things transpired. We moved to Tenn. and I kept in touch. One visit to Va where I was conducting a women's luncheon at our previous church I got word that her husband had killed himself. Someone said to me when I asked David to take me to my friend "Oh, you don't want to get involved in something like that".....I don't remember what I said but I don't know that my first reaction was too Christ like. I wasn't going to "gawk" and see what had occurred. My mind went to my friend who in a split second was without a husband and had no family in the area. I remember walking in and seeing her sitting on the couch surrounded by her pastor, her former pastor and a few scattered friends and neighbor. Our eyes met, no words were exchanged, and we just hugged for what seemed like forever. I don't know, but I feel like Valerie. The luncheon I had was iffy for a long time as to the date, and why we settled on that date I don't know, but I'm sure God knew...he knew that on that day my friend would have a crisis that if even for a few minutes, having me in the area to impart a hug that conveyed that I was in this with her for the long haul was going to be needed. I couldn't have done that from JC.

I don't know what what "things" your friends are struggling with...I know what some of mine are.....I pray I'm sensitive to see and do what I can to bear the burden.

I don't know...I just think we are generally selfish people. We don't want to "clutter" our seemingly perfect lives and routines with some one's elses hurt. Cancer isn't fun to talk about, and it's less fun when it hits your own family. I know. Struggling with other issues isn't fun, but someday it may be your crisis and it won't be fun either. And when that time comes you'll want someone else who is "strong" to show up to help bear your burdens.

I pray we all learn a lesson from Valerie. You go girl!