October 20
May mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. Jude 1:2
When I worked for a private physician, one of my tasks at the end of each shift was to check supplies and restock any items I used so the next nurse coming in would not be left without. If anything, each of us would overstock, to make it easier for the next person. It could be taxing on us, for after working so many hours and tending to the endless needs of people, the last thing any of us wanted to do was to perform another task! We only wanted to complete our paperwork and head home.
However, when I was the director in a large facility, any lack I saw or heard about, was simply addressed with a visit or phone call to the department head covering that area. There were moments I’d lend a hand, but for the most part I had other work to attend to and my help was not needed, but my attention to it was. In the end it was my responsibility to know that things were not only running smoothly, but that supplies necessary to do so were available also, and that the “restocking” of those supplies was being done.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if sometimes we could make someone else responsible for taking stock of what part of our lives needs to be filled, in order that we are the whole person God wants us to be? That someone could point out where we lack charity and kindness, patience and compassion; where we are wrapped up in self and unable to show love. And how much easier it would be if we could then tell someone to simply do those things for us too!! Hmmm.
But God doesn’t want someone else. He doesn’t expect us to be super human either. He doesn’t expect perfection! He expects us to love and has given us the blueprint to enable us to do so in Scripture and in His son, Jesus Christ. And when we truly love, taking stock, with His spirit guiding us at the end of each day, not only becomes a part of us like breathing, but also becomes necessary. We may not like what we come to understand about ourselves sometimes, but when we try to remain focused on doing good, God gives us the grace to re-center ourselves and to continue trying to do our best, with a heart restocked in abundance with love.
Lord, fill our hearts with your loving kindness, that we may be able to restock the hearts of others.
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson
May mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. Jude 1:2
When I worked for a private physician, one of my tasks at the end of each shift was to check supplies and restock any items I used so the next nurse coming in would not be left without. If anything, each of us would overstock, to make it easier for the next person. It could be taxing on us, for after working so many hours and tending to the endless needs of people, the last thing any of us wanted to do was to perform another task! We only wanted to complete our paperwork and head home.
However, when I was the director in a large facility, any lack I saw or heard about, was simply addressed with a visit or phone call to the department head covering that area. There were moments I’d lend a hand, but for the most part I had other work to attend to and my help was not needed, but my attention to it was. In the end it was my responsibility to know that things were not only running smoothly, but that supplies necessary to do so were available also, and that the “restocking” of those supplies was being done.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if sometimes we could make someone else responsible for taking stock of what part of our lives needs to be filled, in order that we are the whole person God wants us to be? That someone could point out where we lack charity and kindness, patience and compassion; where we are wrapped up in self and unable to show love. And how much easier it would be if we could then tell someone to simply do those things for us too!! Hmmm.
But God doesn’t want someone else. He doesn’t expect us to be super human either. He doesn’t expect perfection! He expects us to love and has given us the blueprint to enable us to do so in Scripture and in His son, Jesus Christ. And when we truly love, taking stock, with His spirit guiding us at the end of each day, not only becomes a part of us like breathing, but also becomes necessary. We may not like what we come to understand about ourselves sometimes, but when we try to remain focused on doing good, God gives us the grace to re-center ourselves and to continue trying to do our best, with a heart restocked in abundance with love.
Lord, fill our hearts with your loving kindness, that we may be able to restock the hearts of others.
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson