We are nearly three weeks into our USA tour as we visit family and friends. In anticipation of the trip my prayers were focused on “rest”. Recent prayers have transformed to the theme of “feeling refreshed”. Our friends and family have welcomed us with such open arms it is humbling. There have been small intimate gatherings and some parties lasting late into the evening.
While visiting the home of one of our amazing friends, we paused as we saw a rock in their garden inscribed with Proverbs 27:9 (as per the photo). This verse made me feel in that moment that God was speaking to me directly as we felt so blessed by these friends, for their love and kindness. That verse has since been the theme of my trip to the USA; feeling refreshed by sweet friendship, family, old friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ.
Self-reflection questions:
- Do I intentionally invest in others to refresh them?
- Am I refreshing to be around? Do I sweeten the souls of others in every interaction?
- Do I actively giving thanks to God and to the “friend” for sweet friendships, for the refreshing of my soul?
- Do I let friends know how much they mean to me, that they are an answer to prayer?
Today’s reading is Matthew 25 and I felt some tie-in with the following verse:
And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (Matthew 25:40)
While most of the time recently has been with friends and family, this verse speaks to me about loving those beyond our “safe zone”, and how refreshed the unloved feel when they are given love. We are to love not only those whom we know well, but also the marginalized; those whom society does not love nor accept. We are to love the poor, the homeless, the mentally ill, those in prison, the sinner, the offender, our enemies and those who persecute us.
Jesus said we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14a). Let us believe his words and act now; giving love, bringing joy, refreshing souls, in the name of Jesus.