Be The Blessing!

I mentioned in the blog yesterday how that my wife was such a trooper throughout all the activities of our recent trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma for our youngest son’s wedding.  From the moment I interrupted her regular schedule and got her up a couple of hours early in order to make the first leg of our flight to Chicago, to the time I helped her to bed late on the night of our return home, she was happy, alert and peaceful!

Even though she cannot always express her thoughts in words, it was evident by the glistening in her eyes and the regular smiles, that she was aware of everything that was going on around her.  What really captured my attention and my heart was the way that our son’s roommate and their friends (along with our kids as well as Jeremy's new bride) loved on Piper.  I cannot count all the times that they came up to her unannounced and bent down to talk to her eye to eye!  And it wasn’t just the normal quick word or two that most people share with her and then move on, but prolonged moments where they talked with her, held her hand or just sat quietly with her.

This is the way that I picture Jesus ministering to many of those that came to Him as He walked the street of the cities He went through.  When the centurion came to Jesus to ask Him to pray for his servant, Jesus’ instant reply was that “I will come and heal him.” (Matthew 8:7 KJV)  Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries tells us that the word “heal” is not the usual word (sozo) that is used when the writers talked about Jesus healing the sick but another (therapeuo) meaning “to wait upon menially.” Robertson’s Word Pictures states that “the word used here for heal means first to serve, give medical attention, then cure, restore to health.”

I believe that Jesus saw the compassion and pain on the face of the Roman soldier, knew that his servant was very special to him and wanted to go and just love on the sick servant before laying hands on him for healing.  I think that Jesus knew how that would bless both the sick individual and the one who was feeling the personal pain of a loved one who is going through a difficult time.  I say that because that is exactly what happened to me repeatedly during our time in Oklahoma.

When is the last time that you took the time to step out of your comfort zone and reach out to someone who is going through a tough situation?  Most times it is not the “right” words that you may think you have to say, but just your loving closeness to them without ever saying anything!  Keep that thought and turn it into action as you walk through your day!  You might just be a blessing to others around you that you never see… but they notice and take in your action of mercy and love.  Have a good day.  Stay in tune to His Word, and keep asking yourself… “What or Whom am I expecting today?”