The Weekly Word from Pastor Jim I was at the hospital making visits last night. It is not easy being a patient. It is not easy to grow old, to lose independence, and to spend long hours in the medical system. The disability, pain, and uncertainty is a lot to bear. Sometimes we just get weary. But God is with us. In the skilled hands of doctors, nurses and technicians God is with us. Miracles still happen. God is with us, in the notes, prayers and visits of friends and loved ones. We might be weary but we are not alone. It is perhaps even more difficult being a caregiver for loved ones. The day-to-day stress is considerable. The familiarity, history, and love that we share with our patient makes life even more complicated. Weary — sometimes we are just weary. It struck me last night just how weary caregivers can be. They are weary, but they are not alone. God sends others to walk with them when they are weary. God sends us. Each morning they wake up weary, and yet they have no choice but to get up in the morning and start another day of caregiving. They do it because they vowed to do it; they do it because it is good and right. Love leads them on through weary nights. God walks beside them. I would imagine that the people of the Philippines are weary. Days after the devastation they are living and dying in unspeakable conditions. Weary, without water, food or shelter. They are our neighbors. They find themselves in a time of need. They did nothing to bring this calamity on themselves. Next week it could be us. The people of the Philippines are weary but they are not alone. God is with them in this night of darkness. God is with them as United States Navy sailors and ships bring relief. God is with them in the compassionate touch of their countrymen, and in the actions of a caring world community. Sometimes we are weary. Sometimes we need help. Perhaps you are weary of giving money to charity. Perhaps you are overwhelmed by one good cause after another. As caregivers we really have no choice but to get up each morning and serve. We do it because we have vowed to do it; we do it because it is the right thing to do. We do it because God has called us to do it. It is time once again for us to step up and reach out. We will be receiving special offerings the next several weeks to aid those devastated by the Typhoon. Simply make your checks out to TLC and put “Philippines” in the memo. Together our money will be forwarded to “Lutheran Disaster Relief.” You can give with confidence knowing that 100% of your gift will go to help the people of the Philippines. The ELCA pays all overhead for disaster relief. There is no more efficient way to give. Sometimes we are weary. Sometimes we are weak. Sometimes we need a helping hand. But we are never alone. Sometimes we are present to help the weary. Sometimes we are there to carry the weak. Sometimes we are the helping hand of God. That sometime is now. I am thankful to be sharing the journey with you. Pastor Jim
Posted on: Fri, 15 Nov 2013 04:21:28 +0000
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