When I think of high school, it is hard to believe I graduated 40 years ago! It doesn’t seem like it was that long ago, but time tells on us! But then, I started thinking about grade school. Life was simpler then. I loved grade school and hated high school. But, school was school, you had to go!

I remember in the 4th grade, we did a play just for our class. It was “Dennis the Menace!” I got the part of Dennis. Let me tell you something, though. My mom was a hairdresser, and when she was in beauty school, she would take me to be a “model” for a new haircut. Usually, it was super short. Oh, I hated it so much. But I know that is what got me the part I wanted so badly! Now, I wear my hair short on purpose. Go figure! Now I know it is much easier to handle my thick curly hair when it’s short.

SO MY CHURCH (BRAT) STORY begins:

Here is another thing that really dates me as old!

Jacks! There was nothing like winning in a tournament. I played like crazy. I practiced for hours to get that 5 minutes on the floor with my opponent.

I remember the last time I played in a tournament (I am not even sure if I won that one), I was in the 6th. I got on my knees to get up off the floor (where the game was played), and I felt a sharp pain on my knee. Instantly, I knew what had happened. A jack had escaped and got under my knee! Oh, it hurt! I looked, and there was a tiny hole in my knee. I didn’t want to cry in front of everyone, so I excused myself and went to the restroom and cried like a baby. I walked out, thinking no one would know. Well, when you are red-faced, your eyes are puffy, and your face wet with tears, you will get noticed!

My teacher did notice. She tried to make me feel better. She was saying things like, “You can barely see the hole in your knee.” What I heard was, “You have a hole in your knee!” As my bottom lip trembled, I could feel the tears welling up again. She took a jack and put a small “hole” in her knee so I wouldn’t feel bad about it anymore. Well, my friends saw her, and couldn’t believe what she had done! I started laughing because it was an odd thing to do! Once they saw me laughing, they all started laughing. Everyone looked at our slight indentations (holes) in our knees! I was known as the “Holy 6th Grader,” at least in my circle of friends!

WHAT’S ON MY MIND?  GLAD YOU ASKED

Why is it so hard for people to show compassion in this crazy world we live in? I think it is because we have become so self-absorbed. What about me? What will I get out of it? When is it my turn? We live in a “selfie” world: me, me, me, no one else but me. We may not say that exactly, but that is how we live our lives.

What about this scripture telling us not to think so highly of ourselves?

Romans 12:3

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

When was the last time you made someone feel noticed? Made the day about someone other than yourself? When was the last time YOU made someone feel special and seen?

See, my teacher could have said nothing and done nothing. I would have gone home a complete wreck. Thinking what a “fool” I was. Thinking that I could never go back to class because I was humiliated for crying. But instead, I went home happy, laughing, and loving the class I was in because they all felt the pain the of what I had done. Because, my teacher exhibited compassion.

Sometimes we just need to make someone else feel noticed. Feel special. Feel like they matter in this world. During Covid-19, the past (almost) 2 years, have been some of the hardest. People are feeling unnecessary. Lost. Alone. Afraid. Worthless. We have been isolated for so long it is almost like we cannot socialize anymore.

This is exactly what the devil wants. No one talking to each other. People are not gathering in God’s house with their church family. Us feeling useless and obscure. If he can get us alone long enough, he can put thoughts in our minds. Destructive thoughts. Suicidal thoughts. Selfish thoughts. The Bible tells us what to do with those thoughts.

II Corinthians 10:5

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

You have to allow the devil to have a playground in your mind before he can play. Thoughts of salvation, God’s protection, and thoughts of knowing we are God’s children, that gives us an advantage over the devil! It is more than just positive thoughts we need to have. It is eternal thoughts. 

The devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness. He thought he would catch him alone, vulnerable, and desperate for conversation. Forty days is a long time to be away from everyone and not eating. But what he wasn’t counting on was what Jesus had inside of Him. He had the words God, His Father, had given Him, and He used that against the enemy. The devil even started quoting things of God. Things that he knew Jesus would relate to. Things he took totally out of context to use it the way he wanted to, for his advantage. But Jesus would have none of it! When Jesus was finished with Satan and his lies; Jesus’ words were more powerful than the devil’s words, the devil left. Then, God sent angels to minister to Jesus. In Matthew 4, verse 11 reads like this, “Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” 

Read it in Matthew 4:1-11

Just a thought: Do you have enough of God’s Word in you to run the devil away from your life; especially when you are weak, alone, and vulnerable?

Let’s lift each other up!

I Thessalonians 5:11a

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up,

Let’s think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Gather with your church family and help each other.

Colossians 3:16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Make someone else feel like they matter!

Hebrews 10:24

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

Be there for each other. Stop quarreling over things that do not matter. Stop pointing blame and work out the problem. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. Let’s act like it!

As we get ourselves ready to pray, listen to this old song from Russ Taff. One of my favorites.

You’re my brother you’re my sister
so take me by the hand
Together we will work until He comes
There’s no foe that can defeat us
We’re walkin’ side by side
As long as there is Love
We will stand

PRAY THIS WITH ME TODAY (in your own words)

Jesus, thank You for always loving me. Thank You for showing me grace, mercy, kindness, and love. I want to be like You. I want to love like You do. I want to show grace, mercy, and kindness like You do.

Help me to not be blind to those that need You. Help me to not turn a deaf ear to those that are crying for help. Help me to find that one person that needs to feel necessary and show them You.

I love You and I want others to feel the love that I have for You. Point me to them. I want to be like You.

In Jesus Name

Amen