When a friend of mine heard about his friends health declining, he wanted to do something for his friend and his wife. My friend decided to take his guitar and sing Christmas songs with his friend. His wife suggested he invite another choir member to go and that choir member invited another. Four of them went and sang Christmas songs, from the yard. For a moment, I believe this man forgot how sick he was as his smile was from ear to ear and you could feel the love! My friend got a text from the wife saying they had brought Christmas to all. She said they brought so much joy to both of them. Her husband had missed choir and his church family so much. Music had always been a part of his life especially at Christmas and that had been sorely missed in 2020. She said it was the highlight of the week for them to come and sing.
Of course, my friend said it brought Christmas to them and they were so blessed by that evening. When we let God use us as a blessing to others, we are always blessed. We are told in God’s Word that when we want to encourage others we will find an inexpressible joy in the process. 1 Peter 1:8, “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy…” Everyone needs to be encouraged and appreciated and we have all been given that ability to bless others. God blesses us and makes us a blessing to others.
A week and a half later, this child of God went to be with his Lord and Savior. Revelation 21: 4, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” What a blessing that evening was to everyone. I thank God that my friend and the others acted on what I believe was a nudge from God. They were able to have a wonderful evening of fellowship. Thankfully, this nudge from God was not put off because God’s never early, never late, but always on time.
God calls us all to be servants. Our Savior spent a large portion of His earthly ministry in the presence of the sick--healing and comforting those who were experiencing hard times. Matthew 20: 28, “...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10: 45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus tells us when we demonstrate compassion to the hungry, thirsty, lonely and sick that we are doing it to Him. People going through a tough time or are homebound can feel neglected or forgotten.
God calls us to be our brother's keeper. Genesis 4: 9, “‘Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is your brother Abel?’ ‘I don’t know,’ he replied. ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’” Yes, we are! We are brothers and sisters in Christ, by the blood of Jesus. We are to set aside our own opinions, personal preferences and our own pleasures to show love to others. Galatians 6: 2, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
One day in December, my mom and I were driving down the road and I thought of a friend who is going through a tough time with his health. I said, “I wonder how he is doing.” Then I realized God had brought him to mind right as I was about to pass his neighborhood. I called him on the phone and asked if he was home and could just open his front door. Mom and I were standing in his front yard. He was at chemo but said his wife was home. When I called her and she opened the door the tears started. We had the best visit from far away. I realized that day his caregiver needed the visit. God brought them to mind at the perfect moment. As Mom and I said all the way home - we were so blessed by that visit! I thank God for bringing people to mind that we need to pray for and/or reach out to. Thankfully, it does not have to be by singing! God can always find a way for us to be a blessing, even around Covid. And if you cannot get out - you can visit over the phone. God can use us all! Who can you bless today and be blessed by?