Do you remember these?
It was 41 degrees in Dallas this morning when we woke up. Husband lit the gas wall heater for us, and truly a shower never felt so warm. I love these heaters. I remember them vividly from childhood bath times, especially at my grandparents’ homes.
Spending the last few days with Husband’s mother, who is still in ICU, has obviously been an emotional ride. If you’ve ever sat long enough by someone’s bedside you know the ride I’m talking about. Your world comes to a stop, yet you know it’s still spinning along outside your confining walls. In the stillness your mind wanders roads past and future. The present is surreal.
The gas heater took me down a nostalgic path this morning. I was flooded with precious memories from my childhood and of my grandparents. I was filled with a warmth and peace that was beyond what a gas wall heater, or even the memories, could possibly provide.
What I’m feeling is the joy of being part of the body of Christ. I am feeling the prayers and love from all the peeps in the village who are still spinning in the world outside making it possible for Husband & I to be exactly where we are. It is the biggest blessing to be in the midst of how God calls us to live as Christians.
In Romans 12: 4-8 Paul gives us a powerful illustration. We are all members of the body of Christ, and each one of us has an important and needed function.
4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Husband and I are so humbled by those who are using their gifts to help us right now. Prayer warriors, dinner makers, carpool drivers, baby sitters. And, Mia is just in a category all of her own! I could go on and on how we are being helped by those we love right now.
Truly, I am speechless.
Heavenly Father, Thank you for all the peeps in the village who are modeling what it truly means to be the hands and feet of Christ. I lift each one of them up to You and praise You for their gifts and serving hearts. Pour out Your blessings on each of them. In the name of Your precious son I pray. Amen.
