Daily Devotional March 6, 2023

Carol sent me the following comments from an “Understanding Wife.”  

“Well, he needed a blood transfusion, but his blood type was not on record, so the doctors asked me if I knew what it was, as they urgently needed to know, in order to save my Norman’s life.

Tragically, I’ve never known his blood type, so I only had time to sit and say goodbye.

I’ll never forget how supportive my Norman was.  Even as he was fading away, he kept on whispering to me, “Be positive, be positive!”

That was my Norman.  Always thinking of others.”

This got me thinking.

While the wife may have been terribly misguided, her comment that her husband always thought of others, is one of the foundational tenants of Christianity.

By virtue of following Jesus, we can no longer put ourselves at the center of our existence.  That space belongs to God.  Also, God’s will is we care for others.  Not just the people we like or are related to, but also the people we don’t like or are strangers.

This is what Jesus meant by saying, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: You must love your neighbor as you love yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

Today, as you start the new workweek, know you will encounter people who need to know they are valued and of worth.  Let them know.

Your small gesture may change the trajectory of someone’s life.  It’s worth it.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, please help me put away my narcissistic tendencies and focus on helping others.  Give me a heart of grace and compassion.  Fill my mind with wisdom and joy.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

If you love yourself, you have to love others.  That’s how it works.

Also, when I read Carol’s message about the “Understanding Wife,” I texted, “I am praying for Philip.”

She said, “I know his blood type.  Zero!  I’m an A+.  Just saying.”

I am adding Philip to our church prayer concerns list.  I think he needs all the prayers he can get.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.

Tom Robbins