I was asked by a senior citizen, who was carrying some identified stress, “Where do I go to get my vaccine?  I just don’t know how to find that out.”

I think these are days when we need to continue to “keep our antennas up.” An antenna, a metal rod or dish, catches radio waves and turns them into electrical signals feeding into something like a radio or television or a telephone system. When we keep our antennas up, we are seeking to be sensitive and attentive to people around us, aware that they may have needs that we can respond to.  It is only as we are attentive that we can respond and offer care.

When I think about attentive care offered, I cannot help but think of the words of Jesus that were offered from the cross.  Enduring excruciating pain, his body writhing, he extends to his mother words that show profound care. We read, "Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home" (John 19:25-27).

This expression of care seen at the cross is one that continues to touch our lives. Jesus said, “If God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”  (Matthew 6:30).

The living God does not let us out of his sight. Not only do we experience this truth, but we are also invited, by the indwelling power of his Spirit, to offer God’s care to others.  I believe the Holy Spirit makes us attentive to the people that the Lord wants us to care for in this world.  Those people may be people we know or people that are not truly familiar to us. 

On Sunday someone shared how they had put a basket of chocolate Easter eggs at the end of their driveway last year.  The written invitation was to take an Easter treat.  A year later, a note of thanks was received, shared by someone who had taken an egg.  The thank you noted that last year the woman was quite depressed due to Covid19 and also not being able to celebrate Easter.  This small chocolate gesture lifted her spirit tremendously.  She realized she was not forgotten. A simple act of care, might I suggest prompted by the Spirit, was used profoundly by the Lord.

Today, although many of us may still experience sorrow and discouragement, let us be reminded that even in sorrow the Spirit can assist us in caring for others.  This Easter week may we have our spiritual antennas up asking the Lord how we can be care-givers to others. It may be through an action and it may be through quiet prayer.  Use us Lord, for your honour.

687: We Are The Hands Of Christ

1. We are the hands of Christ;
He uses us each day
To show His love to every one
In every kind of way.

2. We are the feet of Christ;
His errands we must run
To fetch, to carry and to help
In every way we can.

3. We are the eyes of Christ;
All beauty we must share,
And hope one day to bring to you
All those who do not care.

4. We are the lips of Christ;
He speaks through us to men,
To cheer, to comfort and to tell
Of His great love for them.

5. We are the friends of Christ;
We love His work to do;
His friendship is so wonderful
Will you not share it too?

God of sovereign care, help us to rest in your care for us, especially when we are walking through a season of sorrow. As you take our hand, even in the valley of shadows of darkness, we ask that you help us take the hand of another. May our simple gestures reveal your love to a world in need of your grace and living presence. AMEN

With care and in prayer,