The World Needs Caring Hearts
The woman sobbed as she wound her way to the restaurant’s check-out stand.
The cooks working behind the counters and customers turned their heads, each probably wondering what had happened. When our server visited our table I asked, “What was wrong with the woman crying?”
The cute, petite young lady’s eyes turned sad. “She has to bury her mother in two days.”
I said a prayer for the grieving person. The servers and people who run the restaurant are so kind. If they don’t see a regular customer for a while, when the patron returns, they ask, “Are you okay?” The lady probably shared her sorrow with one of the servers and grief overcame her, but why did this poor woman have to go to a restaurant to find sympathy? Are we so connected to our cell phones and tablets that friendship in person doesn’t exist? Or are we too busy to make time for others?
The Upset Patient
Just two weeks earlier a young lady spoke to me about an incident in a doctor’s waiting room. She noticed a woman crying, offered her a tissue and said she was sorry for whatever concerned her. The young patient responded, “You have no idea how much it means that someone cares.”
Has the Diginal Age Robbed Us of Human Compassion?
Matthew 7: 12 tells us, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you…” With human nature similar in all of us, it’s a matter of asking if I were the person with a crisis or a problem, would I want help, sympathy, caring and kindness, then acting accordingly toward others.
Jesus left us with a high calling when he said to go into the world, spread the Gospel and make disciples of all men. Most Christians want to obey Jesus’ command and help those in need at the same time. We go on mission trips, organize food and clothing donations, and give money to support domestic and international outreach. These endeavors are tremendous ways to spread God’s word.
However, the scenarios in the restaurant and doctor’s office pose questions. Do we still have a listening ear for someone who needs to talk, a cheerful word for those lonely or ill, a smile for the forlorn, and a caring attitude for those in sorrow? Do we see those who are crying out for physical or emotional support around us and offer it?
God sees our reactions, or lack thereof.
In thinking of serving others in small ways, I can’t help but recall the Scripture about the sinful woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears then poured perfume over them in Luke 7: 38 - 50. Since people of that time and area walked long hours in sand from one place to another, this must have been soothing. Today it wouldn’t be considered a grand gesture. That is to say, it probably wouldn’t make the news as a mission by a celebrity to feed millions, or even receive the glory of a church mission trip or a neighborhood meal train. The Pharisee who had invited Jesus to have dinner with him even suggested Jesus shouldn’t allow the woman to touch him. Yet, according to the passage, the woman pleased Jesus because “she loved much.” (NIV)
Book News
I’m excited for the Discipleship Series, which consists of Hidden Danger, Dangerous Detour and Dangerous Shadows. All three books are now available in the United States in Spanish and German. The books are also in hardback as well as paperback, audio and Kindle copies.
Each book in the series can stand alone, but it’s three times the fun to read all of them.
What Readers Say
About Hidden Danger
“It is very interesting what Emily is willing to do as she uses her Father’s eyes to see the worth of a person. ..”
Buy on Amazon in English, in Spanish and German
About Dangerous Detour
“The book has many twists and turns and intrigue. I saw the Christian aspect in the book through the characters trusting each other and God. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Romance and Mystery…WONDERFUL BOOK!”
Buy on Amazon in English, in Spanish and German
About Dangerous Shadows
“Will they make it out alive and to the life they hope will bind their future, or do they know too much, and the figure haunting the shadows may put an end to everything.”
Buy on Amazon in English, in Spanish and German
Giveaway
To celebrate the new editions, I’ll give away a Kindle copy of one book in the series to a U.S. resident, winner’s choice. Just tell me which book you’d like in which language. To enter to win leave a comment below, then leave your email address on the “Leave a Message” form on my Website. I’ll send the Kindle copy to the first person to respond.
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