Day 5: What is the next right thing to do?
By: Abby Blackmon
Scripture: 1 Peter 4:8-10
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
Reflection:
Ft. Lauderdale Airport, sometime in 2017, after a particularly devastating week in Les Anglais, Haiti:
After the chaos of customs, navigating multiple buildings, re-checking bags, and getting through security, I sat on a bench. I needed to get my shoes back on and head to the gate. I couldn’t. I was overwhelmed with the heart-hurt of losing yet another patient, physical and spiritual fatigue, and foreboding anticipation, knowing I had to hit the ground running as soon as I deplaned in Knoxville. I put my head in my hands and wept.
A family of three, all smartly dressed for travel, walked by on my left. (I am not smartly dressed. I am dirty and sweaty and in barely clean clothes.) I glanced up to see the mom touch the dad and say she’d be right back. I felt, rather than heard, the grunted, “Mo-omm,” from the teenaged son. She turned and walked quietly towards me. As she approached, she leaned over and placed a soft hand on my shoulder. Looking at me straight in the eye, she said, “God says don’t stop what you’re doing. He sees you! He’s got you!,” then asked if she could give me a hug. Yes! Yes! A thousand times, yes!
From God’s heart through her mouth to my aching soul, words of prayer and love and gracious hospitality soothed me. Her hug and her eyes told me I was seen and held and Known. I am grateful she heard and followed the Spirit’s prompting.
The next right thing to do always looks and speaks Love.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, things feel dark and scary these days. In your kindness and mercy, show us how you want us to love and serve one another - friend, family member, and stranger. Give us the sense to feel Your prompts, the wisdom to follow them, and the joy of drawing closer to You. Bless us with conviction and repentance when we fail. Cloak us in Your grace and love always. In Jesus’ precious and holy name, amen.
**other scriptures to ponder: I Corinthians 12:31b-13:13; Micah 6:8; 1 John 4:18
Scripture: 1 Peter 4:8-10
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
Reflection:
Ft. Lauderdale Airport, sometime in 2017, after a particularly devastating week in Les Anglais, Haiti:
After the chaos of customs, navigating multiple buildings, re-checking bags, and getting through security, I sat on a bench. I needed to get my shoes back on and head to the gate. I couldn’t. I was overwhelmed with the heart-hurt of losing yet another patient, physical and spiritual fatigue, and foreboding anticipation, knowing I had to hit the ground running as soon as I deplaned in Knoxville. I put my head in my hands and wept.
A family of three, all smartly dressed for travel, walked by on my left. (I am not smartly dressed. I am dirty and sweaty and in barely clean clothes.) I glanced up to see the mom touch the dad and say she’d be right back. I felt, rather than heard, the grunted, “Mo-omm,” from the teenaged son. She turned and walked quietly towards me. As she approached, she leaned over and placed a soft hand on my shoulder. Looking at me straight in the eye, she said, “God says don’t stop what you’re doing. He sees you! He’s got you!,” then asked if she could give me a hug. Yes! Yes! A thousand times, yes!
From God’s heart through her mouth to my aching soul, words of prayer and love and gracious hospitality soothed me. Her hug and her eyes told me I was seen and held and Known. I am grateful she heard and followed the Spirit’s prompting.
The next right thing to do always looks and speaks Love.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, things feel dark and scary these days. In your kindness and mercy, show us how you want us to love and serve one another - friend, family member, and stranger. Give us the sense to feel Your prompts, the wisdom to follow them, and the joy of drawing closer to You. Bless us with conviction and repentance when we fail. Cloak us in Your grace and love always. In Jesus’ precious and holy name, amen.
**other scriptures to ponder: I Corinthians 12:31b-13:13; Micah 6:8; 1 John 4:18
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