"Eric G. We want to hear your voice & make sure you're O.K. Please. It's been 6-months, time heals all. Please call home. Love, Mom, Dad, Heather."
"Please pray for Rose. I need a job."
"Happy birthday Dad! With love. From your girls, TJ and Sarah."
- Pennysaver 23544, July 9, 2014.
I found these notes in the "Messages" section of my local weekly mailer, tucked between the "Animals/Pets" and the churches listed in "Neighborhood News" There is something simple, public and raw about these declarations that makes me want to join them.
This is one of the places that church is at its best and at its worst. At its best, it is the family that grows, laughs and cries together before God. "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." (1 Cor. 12:26) At its worst, it is that same family, but torn apart by selfishness. Not pain or sorrow, but selfishness. That's why Paul advised, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves" (Phil. 2:3)
Obviously, these people didn't look to the church for either. They rather posted (literally!) their concerns to the pages destined for recycling bins. Church was a worse bet than Pennysaver for sympathy. I am a worse bet than Pennysaver for sympathy, most days. But I did stop and pray for each. And I ask you to go out of your way to be the attentive ears and extended hands of Jesus this week.
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." - Psalm 34:18
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