Most everyone reading this knows that my mother-in-law, Ellen, has had cataract surgery on both of her eyes. To those who have been keeping her in prayer, thank you. She is doing very well. It has been one month since her first eye was operated on. It has been my privilege to be her primary caregiver during this time, and I will continue to be through August.
Being Ellen's caregiver has meant taking her to the surgery center twice, the eye doctor four times, the emergency room, and her primary care physician. All of this is in addition to traveling out to her home four times a day to put drops in her eyes. I have been blessed to have a flexible schedule to do this when it has been impossible for any of her daughters, though they would really like to.
I tell you this not to garner sympathy for any of us, nor to gain accolades. I have been blessed by this endeavor as it has made me look at what God calls us to do. I have been thinking about what it means to "take care of the widows" lately.
Sure! You could say that this is all a part of honoring your parents, and family should do this. It is natural for us to want to take care of those who are alone or in need of assistance. Is it?
I was horrified just the other day to find evidence once again to prove how uncaring individuals in our society are toward the widowed, weak, and infirm. An eighty-year-old woman lived with her daughter, son-in-law, and three grandsons. She had been sitting in her recliner for more than a month in her own filth and barely eating. The family did not take care of her, saying she had refused their help. Clearly, the woman was infirm and incapable of making appropriate decisions. Still, this family cared so little that they did nothing, even waiting several days while the woman went in and out of consciousness before finally calling 911. What medics found when they examined this woman is too graphic and despicable for a publication such as this. Yet, the family's attorney claims that they did nothing wrong; so much for us naturally wanting to care for the widows, weak, or infirm.
I think God understood our sinful nature and desire for self-preservation above all else very well. He devoted a great deal of ink to how we are supposed to handle and take care of each other. As Christians, and after reading the above news, it should come as no surprise that God would have a harsh response toward those who would abuse the widow. In Exodus 22:22-24 it says, "You shall not abuse any widow or orphan. If you do abuse them, when they cry out to me, I will heed their cry; my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children orphans." (NRSV)
God gave specific instructions to protect those in need. For instance, He told landowners to leave certain parts of their harvests behind so that the widows could gather food and not starve. We got to see how this worked out in the story of Ruth when Boaz made sure his servants left behind grain for her to gather.
The times had changed some by the New Testament, but the timeless truth had not. Jesus still taught us to care for the widows, weak, and infirm. James reminds us again in James 1:27, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world;" (NRSV)
So often I have heard discussions by well meaning Christians talking about the homeless person they drove or walked past and ignored, and how guilty they felt afterward. They wondered why they had not stopped to make sure the individual had something to eat. Unfortunately, I have watched those same people pass by an elderly person with too much to carry or not bother to hold the door for someone with a disability without thinking twice about it. I have even heard some carelessly talk about what a burden these people are on society; as if caring for another human life should ever be considered a burden!
I believe Scripture is clear. It is our responsibility to look out for the widow, weak, and infirm whether it is convenient or not. Yes, I have the advantage that Ellen is family, but what about the next time I see someone who can't reach the shelf in the store or can't wheel themselves up the hill on their own? What will you do? Think about it.
Blessings in Christ,
Scott day
DAY CAMP FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN
Family Hospice and Palliative Care is pleased of offer Camp Healing Hearts, a free day camp for grieving children, ages 6-12, and their parent(s) or guardian(s). The program will be held Saturday, August 14, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Center for Compassionate Care in the South Hills. For registration or further information, please contact the Bereavement Department at 412-572-8829.
A Note From Kim
Dear Church Family,
I wish to thank all of you for the wonderful birthday cards and gift that I received. You all have truly made me feel so welcome and at home. Love, Kim Shetter
EVENING PRAYER
Someone has said that if Christians really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. Did you know that during WW II there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every day at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace? There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America. If you would like to participate: Every evening at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time (8:00 p.m. Central; 7:00 p.m. Mountain; 6:00 p.m. Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend ONE MINUTE praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, and for a return to a Godly nation.
GRACE, MERCY AND PEACE
Grace is what our holy God gives that we, as sinful people, don't
deserve. His gifts include our very next breath. Even in our darkest
hour, strength is given by God so that we can endure.
Mercy is what God withholds that we do deserve. Even when we're wayward, God
gives time and help for us to turn back to Him.
Peace is what God brings to His people. Even in the worst of times, we have
inner tranquility because our God is in control.
We can be encouraged that throughout our lives the Lord will give us the grace,
mercy, and peace we need to live for Him.
-Albert Lee
SOME THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY
- Christianity is bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions.
- God's ability is not limited to our inability.
- A Christian is the keyhole through which other folks see God.
- The character of your children tomorrow depends on what you put into their hearts today.
PITTSBURGH REGION INTERNATIONAL STUDENT MINISTRIES
P.R.I.S.M. is sponsoring a "Garage Giveaway" for newly arrived international students on Saturday, August 21, 2010, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Bellefield Presbyterian Church, 4001 Fifth Avenue in Oakland.
We are asking friends of P.R.I.S.M. to donate and bring to the church (on Tues., Wed. and Thurs. - August 17,18, 19) useful household items such as: Beds and Bedding, Small appliances, Towels, Dishes, Cooking utensils, Desks, Lamps, Small and moderate-sized furniture (no sofa beds please). Drop off times: Tues., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wed. and Thurs., 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
These items will be offered FREE OF CHARGE to new International Students and Visiting Scholars. This Giveaway is a practical way of showing the love of Christ to international students who come to Pittsburgh. We are in need of drivers with pick-up trucks or vans to help transport the International Students to their apartments with the items they select. This is an urgent need and only requires a few hours of time (8:30 a.m. to early afternoon) on the day of the Giveaway (Aug. 21).
This will be our first contact with many newly arrived International Students, and our service to them leaves a lasting impression. Please contact the P.R.I.S.M. office at 412-683-0342 if you are able to assist in this unique and crucial ministry.