On our grief journey, we have learned that one of the things most helpful to our family has been the reminder given by Paul in 2 Corinthians. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Cor 1:4 (NCV) We have been comforted by simple acts of kindness and love, and now, we are able to do the same for others.
I distinctly remember Easter 2008 when my best friend called and said, “You are getting out of the house this weekend.” I hadn’t left my children’s side (other than school for them) since the bus crash. So I wasn’t sure how I was going to physically leave, but deep down I knew I needed to do it. She told me that she had boiled about a bazillion eggs and that she and her family were coming over to dye Easter eggs with the kids. She knew how much traditions (including egg-dyeing) mean to us. She also knew I had zero energy to pull that off. The day came and with God’s help, I mustered the courage and sense of peace to leave my house and take a break.
I have spoken about how simple acts fueled my family through many dark hours. This is the type of comfort that I think Paul was addressing when he reminded us that we need to give to others the same comfort we were given.
For our Easter countdown activity, our family wanted to remember exactly how Jesus lived. Throughout his life, he embodied our family’s mission statement: Love God, Serve Others! It’s really that simple! In everything Jesus did, he humbled himself . . . fully God, yet fully human . . . to love on others, often the ones most neglected by others. He fed, he nurtured, he wept, he healed, he dried tears, he washed feet, . . never thinking of himself first, yet always knowing the precise amount of comfort to proffer.
As a family, we are often reminded of the love we felt when someone comforted us. With all that in mind, we ventured off to the dollar store to purchase items for miniature baskets for a dear group of friends who we want to love on this week. Sadly they were out of tiny baskets, but we found lovely Easter themed gift bags.
After returning home with our supplies in hand, we had supper and once again, got to work. This time, we created an assembly line to stuff Easter grass, a tiny decoration, and chocolate bunny in our bags. The whole time we talked about our friends and the special stories we have cherished from past times spent together.
We thought hard on who we could bless this week. It didn’t take us long to decide, and of course, we had to the do the work for Huck, because he doesn’t have thumbs. Our recipients will be Huck’s buddies at the nursing home that he visits. The love that we receive from each resident pales in comparison to the joyful dog energy and companionship that we bring to them. I think that Cloie’s card sums up what each of the residents mean to our family.
Through the visits our family has made to the nursing home, our children’s minds and hearts have been etched not to fear the elderly, but instead see each one as a friend just waiting to be treasured. Our only wish is that the love in those tiny packages carries as long as the love and memories that went into making them! If so, then Paul’s reminder will come true as the circle of love and comfort will continue to envelope others in our path!
Take-away: Is there someone in your circle of influence that could use a blessing this week? Could you be the hands and feet of Jesus by serving someone else in love? This doesn’t have to be costly, as a card or note can be a great pick me up! If you are a baker, make a little extra of something yummy and share that. Heaven is the limit on boundless love!
Idealism update: Please note how cluttered the rest of the room was while we worked on our masterpieces. 🙂 Despite what we all tell ourselves, you don’t have to have it all together to love on someone else!