...other meditations

sheep, goats and turkey?

thanksgiving day, 2002, was out of the ordinary! in fact, we were able to do something we have never done before. at 8 am, andy, robin, george and i, along with some other great folks from stroudsburg wesleyan church, caravanned to harlem, ny. the cooked turkeys, rolls and cans of cranberry sauce were given to be used to help feed the hungry and homeless. the many preparations made by countless individuals, were not enjoyed by the taste buds of their family and friends, but by the people they may never know.

giving up our usual routine of warm, cozy visits with family and friends was a sacrifice indeed, but we knew there was going to be something special about this day. God had something to show all of us. when we arrived, a whole city block was swarming with volunteers to help the needy. it was a powerful testimony of the love we have for our Father in heaven. i, personally, couldn't stop thinking about the passage, matthew 25:31-46, about the sheep and the goats. the passage impresses upon us the importance of brotherly love, compassion and service towards others. in the scripture below, Jesus is speaking to His disciples.

34 "then the King will say to those on His right, `come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me.'

37 "then the righteous will answer Him, `Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? 38 when did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or needing clothes and clothe You? 39 when did we see You sick or in prison and go to visit You?'

40 "the King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.'

when we do a good service to others, we are doing it for Jesus as well. the flip side to this parable is stated in verses 41-46. what we don't do for others, we have not done it for Him. it kind of makes you think, if not twice, but several times before doing anything or not doing anything. yet, Jesus is not looking for a whole bunch of "do good-ers". Jesus is more interested in the hearts of His followers. He desires true disciples who love and care for one another and serve one another wholeheartedly. He wants us to do this unconsciously, out of love…not out of obligation or for reward.

the compassion and service we shared on thanksgiving day was no greater than any other act accomplished on this earth. it was what it was: Christians, with willing hearts, reaching out to others. your passion may not be feeding the homeless and hungry. maybe you're the kind and gracious person who hands over $1.27 to the miscalculated shopper in front of you at the grocery store. maybe you're the thoughtful person who sends out greeting cards to down and out people in need of encouragement. or maybe you're the 'smile giver' spreading your cheer in the workplace. whatever your passion, may it come from your heart every time.

taking advantage of more and more opportunities
as they are placed before me,

tamara