ON THE PORCH
DON’T GET DEHYDRATED
**Each one helps his neighbor And says to his brother, “Be strong!” Isaiah 41:6
When we got to church the other morning, the fellows in the picture were waiting for us as we walked down the hallway and entered the sanctuary. When it rains, we always end up with a few dried-out earthworms spread out in the church. Earthworms thrive in communities. They gather up in big balls, and often, it is hard to separate them when you get a handful, because they are so intertwined. These individual worms crawled away from the others seeking shelter but ended up dehydrated and alone. When they left the shelter of the earth and community they were created for, they ended up dying.
**If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:26-27
But with all this going on with the Corona virus, isolation will not be an option, it will be a necessity. Some of our society will have no choice but to stay home and to protect themselves because either their immune systems are compromised, or they are older and more susceptible.
Elderly people have a soft spot in my heart. I was raised by my grandmother and great grandmother, so I come by it honestly. I cried as I told an older friend I have regularly visited since Xavier was a month old that I cannot see her for a while. She has been a major part of our lives and we have considered her family for literally decades. Her immune system is low, and I don’t want to expose her to anything unnecessary. We also have older people in our church, as you do, that have to take extra precautions, because their systems are weakened by age.
Not only will our bodies be isolated during this time, but our minds and hearts may be, too. We are all a part of the body of Christ. God gave us all different gifts, and we need to use them to get through this crisis together. If your gift is serving, serve. If your gift is encouraging, pick up the phone and start making calls or sending texts. If your gift is hospitality, cook a meal and share with someone who cannot cook anymore. If your gift is prayer, get on your knees. If your gift is giving, buy extra and share.
I am thankful for the social technology and phone services we have now. Screens have been a big part of our society for several years, now. Literally hours are spent by most people looking at their phones or being on the computer. Phones have progressed over the years from just making calls. Now, I have everything about our life stored in the palm of my hand. Little kids to elderly sport phones now. Can we be creative and use the technology at our fingertips to bring God glory?
**Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Corinthians 5:11
Although I post my devos on Facebook, I’ve never been a huge fan. When I scroll through Facebook, I see a few things that make me smile, but for the most part, my mind is in neutral and it is a way to pass time. But with this isolation, I see Facebook as a tool to use for God’s glory. When others look at our posts and pictures, will we be encouraging them to panic, or encouraging them to depend on God and point them to Him?
I want to make a conscious effort to reach out to others during this emergency, and still make them feel like a part of the body. I don’t want this crisis to cut me off from the ones I cherish. I want to be front and center for my loved ones when we are face to face, and technologically present for those who I cannot physically visit. I want to make a conscious effort to check on those who are forced to go into isolation and try to be a light when days just start to run into each other.
Today I ask if you will commit to these things with me.
– Go the extra mile to help someone who is weary and worn and might be scared of the days to come.
– Check in to see if those who cannot get out need anything.
– Use our technology to our advantage and make phone calls, send texts, use Facebook and Instagram or come up with other ways to encourage and lift others up.
– When we are face to face with loved ones, be present in the moment. Put down our phones and visit.
God created us all with different gifts. This is a great time to sharpen them up and use them.
To those who are staying home and out of public, please do not feel like you have to go through this alone. Pick up the phone, call a loved one. Post on Facebook. Send a text. Stay connected in any manner you can. For those of us who are still moving and shaking, and it is easy to get to the end of the day and think, “Dang, I wish I had…” Please don’t wait for us to come to you. I promise we have good intentions. Reach out to other believers. Believe me, we need the human interaction with other parts of the body as much as you do!! As busy as I stay, I love it when people I love call to just chat. Nothing I have on my to-do list trumps my family or friends calling…nothing.
LORD, in this scary time, be LORD overall. Give us the wisdom and desire to stay in touch with our community, friends, and family. Remind us daily of those who are not able to get out because of the virus. Allow us to minister to them during this time, so that we all come out stronger on the other side. Don’t let me act like an earthworm thinking it is better to be alone and end up dehydrated and dying. Even if we cannot stay physically connected, help us to stay spiritually and emotionally connected. Help us to share with those in need and continue to lift each other up in prayer. Remind us of the gifts You created each of us with and how best to use them. Protect our elderly and our immune susceptible. Protect those of us who have to be publicly active during this time. Protect those who are keeping American running. And LORD, protect our country. Give our leaders and decisionmakers wisdom in how to proceed. Turn our hearts and focus toward You, LORD. Amen
**Who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:4
**Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus. Romans 15:5
**Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11
ON THE PORCH 