Which of the following are similar to the ways you've served Christ in your family? [check all that apply]
• Taught your kids to see God's glory in nature
• Washed the dishes without being asked
• Played a board game with your kids
• Encouraged your wife to finish her master's degree
• Attended a child's open house at school
• Worked fewer hours to be with your family
• Set an example of a godly prayer life for your children
• Held a crying child
• Swung on the tire swing with your daughter
• Told your wife why you're still in love with her
• Told your son he's got what it takes
• Coached soccer
• Let you child correct you now and then
• Fixed the vacuum cleaner
• Taught your sons to ride a bike
• Listened patiently to a complaint of your wife
• Taped your child's artwork to your office wall
• Admitted to your kids that you were wrong
• Told your children how Christ entered your life
• Cleaned up vomit
• Taught your children to love books
• Been romantic without expecting sex
• Told your daughter she's smart/beautiful
• Set standards for your kids and stuck to them
• Dealt graciously with a busybody neighbor
• Peeled carrots
• Watched movies together
Restoring the Light Theme of the Week: A Heart for the Hurting Friday, October 18, 2002
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September/October 200255Restoring the LightTheme of the Week: A Heart for the Hurting Restoring the Light Theme of the Week: A Heart for the Hurting Friday, October 18
Key Bible Verse: The LORD has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. … to comfort the brokenhearted … (Isaiah 61:1). Bonus Reading:Luke 7:20-23
I hadn't seen N— for days. I checked at the job site. "He got mugged," a coworker informed me. Later, when he was back on the job, I greeted an N— whose posture was slumped and face lifeless. I invited him to our apartment for breakfast. "N—," I said, "Tell me the whole story."
Two men attacked him from behind, he told me, kicked him nearly unconscious, and robbed him; by-standers left him lying there till he regained his senses, staggered to his car, found extra keys, and drove home. "Tell me again," I said. He did. I had him repeat it—this time with tears. After a fourth telling, I said, "N—, the best thing I can do for a friend in trouble is to pray for him. I'd like to do that for you." He nodded. Laying my hands on his head, I prayed for his healing, courage, and deliverance from bad memories and bitterness. Most of all, I asked God to put the light back into his eyes.
Later, N— invited Gail and me to his home for dinner. Some 50 relatives shared with us a delicious feast that reflected their ethnic identity. Afterwards, N— introduced us: "Meet Gordon and Gail," he said; "they saved my life."
—Gordon MacDonald in When Men Think Private Thoughts
My Response: One overlooked "down" person I could cheer up is:
Thought to Apply: The biggest disease today is not leprosy or cancer. It's the feeling of being uncared for, unwanted—of being deserted and alone.—Mother Teresa
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