The lonely

Psalm 68:6 (ESV)

God settles the solitary in a home;

    he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,

    but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

The lonely—widows, orphans, prisoners, the homeless—what can be done to ease their sense that no one cares? Ultimately, God in his love is our dwelling place. As “a father to the fatherless,” he adopts us as his children. He defends the widow, sets the lonely in families, frees prisoners, and puts a song in their mouths.

When God led Israel through the desert wasteland of the Sinai Peninsula after freeing them from Egypt, he scattered their enemies and refreshed his weary people. And in his law He made special provisions for widows and orphans, for foreigners, visitors, and all who were poor.

To be a part of the people of God, the church of Christ, heirs of the promise, recipients of salvation—this is a great, great blessing. There are people who think of Christ’s church as boring and a waste of time. They go to worship once or twice and soon give up. But they miss the fellowship that they could enjoy—the fellowship of all who share in God’s deep love and grace, made possible through Christ’s sufferings for all who believe. God’s caring people have a heart for those who are suffering.

Are you following God’s example and caring with compassion for others today?

Dear Lord, may we reach out with Your love to people who are all around us and lonely. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Helping the lonely

Mark 6:11 (ESV)

 And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.

Lunch room rules state a student must remain in the same seat. No getting up or changing places. New students often feel uncomfortable regardless of where they sit, especially if they don't know anyone-and *Scarlet didn't. One student, however, took the initiative to break the rule. The lunch room lady assumed she was coming to ask permission to go to the bathroom or her locker. Imagine her surprise when instead she asked, "Dr. Wiles, can me and ____ go and sit by the new girl. She's sitting by herself?" Last year, she had been the new girl. She had learned  how rejection felt and didn't want someone else to experience what she had tasted. An honorable act of intervention.

Jesus sent his disciples out with a message of love and an offer of forgiveness. He knew, however, they would be rejected by many. "But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate."

The ways we can show acceptance are abundant. Among them are showing forgiveness when we've been wronged, giving restoration to someone who has failed, initiating friendships, and encouraging those who are discouraged.

What's one way you can show acceptance to someone today?

Dear Lord, when others reject someone help us be the ones who accept them.  Help us keep our eyes open today to happy someone today. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.