It doesn't have to be that way

I spent some time today with an older person in poor health who is all alone. Not surprisingly all their siblings are already passed on, as is their spouse. One of their 3 children is in a nursing home with alzheimers and the other 2 have nothing to do with them. In this time of failing health, when they really need the help of others, there is no one.

As Dana and I reflected on this person's situation we discussed that it shouldn't be that way and when we follow God's plan, it isn't that way. In 1 Tim. 5 the Holy Spirit gave guidance concerning widows indeed--those who have no family to care for them. God gave this responsibility to the church. And not only does the church have the responsibility to "pay" for things for them, but to be the family they don't have. In fact, we have a sister in the congregation here who has been blind for a number of years and is over 90 years old, but still lives at home. How does she do it? Her "family"--not her blood family, her husband and only child have been dead for years, but her spiritual family. One sister eats lunch with her 6 days a week, while another couple take care of buying groceries, paying bills, etc. She also receives calls, visits, and cards from many others. This is God's plan in action.

Are you part of God's family? If you need help, who can YOU turn to? Will you only have help as long as you are able to pay for it? Following God's plan will not only lead us to eternal life after death, but will give us a better life before we die.

Tol