Affection: Expressing care and closeness through physical touch and through words such as “I love you” or “I care about you.” (Romans 16:16. Mark 10:16)
I live in the best neighborhood…and I don’t mean in a prestigious one!
My home, as well as my neighbors’ homes were built in the 60’s. Most of my neighbors have lived in their homes for over 30 years. I moved into my neighborhood about 3 years ago and began to invite the neighbors over for get-togethers every now and then. My husband and I told ourselves we would reach out to these neighbors as soon after we moved in as possible. Well, little did I know 3 years ago that these sweet neighbors would poor affection on me (us) these last several months in such an overwhelming way.
Dave mentioned in one of our 52 WKP’s that my mom passed in June and my dad passed in January. Since October, 2018, my world has been rocked. October my husband was in the hospital for almost a week, then came Thanksgiving and my dad visited with us. In early December my dad went into the hospital in New Jersey. After a couple of weeks we found out he had advanced colon cancer, and I made plans to go to NJ from our home in South Carolina. The same day we found out about my dad, our brother-in-law was killed in an accident. We went to NJ to see my dad in the hospital and to go to our brother-in-law’s funeral. After arriving back home to SC on Christmas Eve, my sister called on New Year’s Eve to say, “Dad might not make it much longer.” I got on the plane the next day. Unfortunately I didn’t make it in time before he passed.
A few weeks later our youngest son had his first son, and in April our oldest son has his first son, his second child. June I got a call…”Mom is really sick and going into the hospital.” I got a flight to Florida to help place my Mom into hospice with advanced ovarian cancer. Thinking we might have some time, I flew back home to SC. After only a week, I received the call…”Mom doesn’t have much time.” I got on a plane the next day. My sister and I stayed with my mom through the night. I can’t describe adequately how to tell you how awful it was to see her suffer..she passed early the next morning.
I share this because I want ya’ll to see and hear something. YOU can have such an impact for Christ by how you care for others. Total strangers helped me during these times. The hotel desk lady gave me the biggest hug when she saw I was upset. She even took the time to ask why I was so sad. The lady who worked in the breakfast area at the hotel asked me daily how my mom was doing. The hospice people, the nurses, all showed us the greatest affection. Some with a hug; some with their kind words.
My neighbors made meals, brought flowers, sent cards, gave hugs, sat and listened to me as I grieved. Friends and family sent texts with words of affection, and they prayed! Boy! Did they pray! I was overwhelmed with the kindness and affection of others. Friends, God gave us one another! He uses our hands, feet, words, arms, and eyes to reach out to His children.
Romans 10:14-15: How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Oh! How beautiful the hands and feet of those who’ve cared for me over these past few months. Beautiful hugs from the God of mercy – the God of all comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Matthew 25:40: ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Will you believe that what you do matters and makes a difference to those around you? You may feel a nudge to reach out to someone. May I encourage you to step out in faith to do so? You may never know what that person is going through.
I have felt lately like I have these huge open wounds in my body that no one can see. How often do you think the person standing next to you at church, around you in line at the grocery store, your neighbor behind their closed door feels exactly the same way? Isn’t it true that you feel that way at times yourself? You may be the hug or the affectionate care that God wants to bring to one of His. Will you let Him use your hands, feet, mouth and heart?
There were family circumstances surrounding these times when I needed God to hold me tighter, so I spent a good amount of time in a hotel room alone. God Himself ministered to me. He affectionately cared so deeply for me. I didn’t have words to pray, but the cool thing is….GOD knew my need. He knows yours too, my friends. His Holy Spirit, sent to live inside each of His children, is known as “The Comforter”. He is God’s presence when we are alone.
We have a Father Who loves us deeply. He can meet all of our needs, and He often uses His children to meet them. You, for others. Others, for you. What an honor!