Bringin’ It Home

Here at the old people place, we have the option of eating our meals in the clubhouse cafeteria or taking the food home as take out. Today, with my usual style, I ended up doing both. The delicious enchilada was partially consumed at the lunchroom, but somehow, I ended up with quite a bit on my shirt. So today’s lunch was technically Eat In/Take Out.

The ladies who attend us so kindly are always willing to send home an extra dessert if a body wants it. Personally I’m on a no sugar, lo carb idiocy diet in order to lose the 50 pounds I am told will put me in the non-obese category. I know what’s good for me even when I don’t necessarily like the process.

Which reminds me of Sunday’s sermon. Bless his heart! Brian’s a wonderful preacher and tells the Truth of the Word with skill and great knowledge. But I don’t know. I think he must take sharp shooting lessons on the side. Every week, he hits me straight to the heart with some  tidbit, some challenge, something to think about for the week.

This Sunday ‘s topic was generosity. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind giving money. Like one of the characters in one of my books says, ‘God has money I haven’t spent yet.’ No problem with that point of his sermon.

Giving of my talents is no biggie. Playing the piano for hymn sings or down at the ancients’ place is enjoyable for me. Working with the folks here on the talent show is in my skill set. I did draw the line at sewing for others. Well, I did say I’d hem their pants for $10,000 a leg. No one has gotten back to me on that.

I got to squirming when the preacher got to meddlin’!!!

Being a loner in a community like this is a CHALLENGE! Ronald fits right in with the majority of people here. His outgoing personality is a delight to all.

I would personally limit my interaction to a bare minimum. Though we have some good conversations and laughs with various table mates and bring home interesting insights from the time together, twice a day is plenty for me. Going to extra activities is not my thing. I feel justified in my attitudes and behaviors due to the personality tests I’ve taken through the years that classify me as a loner.

Until!

Good ol’ pastor Brian looked out at the audience and spoke very firmly. ‘You can’t be a witness and show God’s love when you isolate yourself from others.’ Those might not have been his exact words, but close enough to get my attention.

Humph! Not what I wanted to hear. At All! But I heard it loud and clear and the challenge deeply embedded itself. I’m still stewing over his words and trying to be true to myself and yet make the most of every opportunity to be a blessing and a witness.

I’ll let you know if I figure out how to apply the challenge and live out the Truth.

In the meantime, here’s 1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV   ‘Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.’

The Message version of 1 Peter 4:7-11 says it a little differently. ‘Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless-cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and He’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything – encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!!!’

Blessings

Kara Beth