There are mornings when I open the computer I really wonder what kind of world I am living in. I see more than the news, dreadful in Ukraine but also bright spots of people willing to sacrifice something to help Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees, and I see the ad-based articles that have somehow made it from my spam page onto the regular inbox.
There are the pages and pages of promoting what is called “self-care.” Many of them are sensible, encouraging us to pull back from the world that sometimes overwhelms us. Some of them are selling a product. But what I noticed is that none of them say that an essential part of “self-care” is caring for others.
How can we be emotionally healthy – even more important – spiritually healthy unless we care for others? Caring for others is something that’s built into our system as human beings. You can see It in children: when a small child is upset, usually another small child will reach out to help. Not only maintaining that elemental need to care for others but expanding it into our adulthood is critical to who we are.
Prayer for the Day
All embracing God, who is our model of love,
Teach us how to truly live by caring for others;
Show us, we pray, how to share your love which knows no end
So we are truly live as your examples in this world.
May we learn to love without fear as did the One you sent,
In the name of him who is your gift of love,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
When peoples care for you and cry for you, they can straighten out your soul.
- Langston Hughes, American poet (1902-1967)
The greatest gift you can give is your time. Not money, not items, not food, not pretty cards with handwritten sentiment, but time. People need your presence. The way you can help a soul the most is to simply be there.
- Richelle E. Goodrich, American novelist
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in your power to do it.
Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,
Tomorrow I will give I” when you have it with you.
Proverbs 3: 27-27