Loving Your Neighbor As Yourself

When I posted about our troubles with sickness a couple of days ago, my IRL friend (that's "in real life", Mom) read my blog and called to tell me she would like to bring dinner to us! I was thrilled and accepted, thanking her profusely.

She brought over 2 big pans of lasagna, a huge Caesar salad, bread, and cookies. We all enjoyed it, especially this tired Mama who didn't have to think about preparing dinner after a long day of catching up on laundry. I am so thankful that my friend loves her neighbor as herself.

Tonight, my husband, while leading our Wednesday night service, told the story about the cracked pot. In a nutshell, a servant carried 2 pots of water from a stream to the master's house every day. One pot was cracked, and every day, the servant would arrive with one full pot and one that had leaked out half of its contents on the journey.

The cracked pot was ashamed that it was never able to do its job as well as the perfect pot, but the servant soothed it by telling it that he knew of its flaw and had planted flowers on the side of the road so they would benefit from the leaking water as he walked along.

The moral of the story is to do what we are able and do it to the best of our abilities. Don't look at the next guy and worry that we aren't doing as well as he is.

My husband read 1 Corinthians 12 aloud and encouraged the congregation to remember we are all part of the body of Christ and we should use the talents God has given us and use them for the glory of God. We shouldn't look at someone else and decide that since our talents aren't as great as his talents, we have nothing to contribute.

Do what you're able and do it to the glory of God.

Sometimes, I wonder what we, the Smockity Family, can do to love our neighbors as ourselves when I am feeling overwhelmed with just keeping my family fed, clothed, and never-you-mind educated. My neighbor's kindness and my husband's lesson convict me that I can do what I am able and God will bless that effort.

Tomorrow is May Day, so the children and I are going to be delivering May Day baskets to several widows we think might appreciate some pretty flowers. I am able to do this and I hope to spread a little love for my neighbors and glorify my King at the same time.

"On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."