Be the Hands and Feet

 Sitting here staring at a blank screen, trying to figure out what to blog about. I sit quietly and wait for the Holy Spirit to tell me what we are writing. So… here I am, sitting patiently—and for those who know me, you know I am NOT a patient person. Naturally, I do what I probably shouldn’t and reach for my phone to scroll Facebook.

That’s when I came across an article about Brandon Lake giving a “speech” after accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award for his impact on contemporary Christian music. He said this: “If life has given you more than most, then give more than most. No man should store up fortunes while children sleep hungry. What you hold in excess is not truly yours—it belongs to those who suffer.” Go ahead, read that a few more times if you need to. I know I did.

Can you imagine the looks on the billionaires’ faces or what went through their minds? The article went on to say that eyewitnesses noted several billionaires—one being Zuckerberg—sat in silence. No smile. No applause. I don’t know who’s reading this, but silence is a response, and honestly, it wasn’t a good one.

Scripture tells us in both the Old and New Testaments to take care of widows, children, and the poor. We see this in Exodus 22:22–23, Deuteronomy 26:12–13, Proverbs 19:17, Isaiah 58:6–8, James 1:27, and 1 Timothy 5:3–16. Over and over again, we are called as a people to care for orphans, widows, and the poor. It also tells us to take care of our families.

I can speak from firsthand experience. I cared for my mother until she passed away, and my kids fully understood that we had to put Grandma first. They helped too. I love that they got to spend that time with their grandmother, and I’m so grateful they were part of caring for her. It was important for them to put someone else before themselves, and they took it seriously. They truly enjoyed the time they spent with family, and that still warms my heart.

My ex-husband, Eric (we divorced in 2018), also helped care for my mother. He handled her medications and communicated with hospice, and he genuinely enjoyed the time he spent with her. Taking care of our loved ones is special. It’s sacred. And let me be very clear—it is also exhausting. Caring for someone is much easier said than done. It’s not easy, it’s not glamorous, and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. And yet, we are called to do this.

We are called to care for widows, children without homes or families, and the poor and homeless. While we’re on the subject of helping others, I want to gently encourage you today to help someone. It can be as simple as a hug, holding a door open, telling someone you’re praying for them, or asking if there’s something specific you can pray about. Help a neighbor. Bring up their trash can. Do one of the many simple things that show the love of Jesus.

If someone asks why you’re doing it, you can say it was on your heart to do something good today. You can say God told you to, only if that is true. Or you can simply say you wanted to be kind. We never know what someone else is going through. Life is hard, and if you can put a smile on someone’s face or even place a little hope in their heart, you may change their entire day.

Jesus always met a need. We are called to be like Jesus, to meet the needs of others and to do it joyfully. God knows the heart behind our actions. He knows whether we’re serving with joy or just checking a box. Giving joyfully and giving out of obligation are two very different things. God sees the why behind the what.

Take some time to read 1 Corinthians 9:7, Acts 20:35, and Luke 6:38 when you have a moment. Reflect on how you help others, or maybe how you’ve been wanting to help but haven’t yet. These scriptures are a beautiful reminder to care for our own and also to care for those who cannot help themselves.

Jesus didn’t dwell among the wealthy or the self-righteous. He spent time with sinners, tax collectors, and drinkers. We are called to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, and soul, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

I’m not sure who needed to read or hear this today, but I hope it encouraged you. Let’s be a people who show up, who love boldly, and who choose kindness even when it’s inconvenient. Let’s get out there and be the hands and feet of Jesus, loving one another well and reflecting His grace in a world that desperately needs it.

All my love,
God bless,
Jane

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