How to Live a Life on Loan
Anna Suderman commented once that when she had to go to the nursing home, she hoped she could be decent about it. After living in a large home, after Grandpa Suderman died, she moved to a two bedroom home. Then, once again she downsized to one room in the nursing home. She left her door opened, welcoming all visitors. She surrounded herself with old pictures of those she loved. But always her door was as open as her heart to all who entered. She never complained, but kept her sweet smile. If you came to minister to her, she ministered to you.
Her daughter, Mother (Anna Daisy), was the same. As she lay on her hospital bed, a lady close to Mother’s age came to see her. As she left, she told me, “I ministered to your mother.” When I checked to see if Mother needed anything, she told me “I ministered to my friend today.”
I decided then that ministering is a two-way street, like a hug. When you give a hug or a smile, you always get a hug or a smile back. We find strength and joy in ministering, showing our love to one another in various ways. We often receive more by opening our hearts to someone than the recepient of our giving.
In this day and age, such care for each other, except in small groups, is exceptional. When Mother and Dad honeymooned in Galveston TX on the beach, they slept there, in 1928. Times change. My parents came from a Mennonite background. I have forgotten the name Dad gave for Mennonites going on a trip and finding Mennonite brethern to stay with along the way. The trip was always planned with homes of Mennonite brethern along the way. In 1952, Ed and I honeymooned on the same beach, but by then it was unthinkable to sleep on the beach.
Rufus Edgar Combs, my husband’s father, was a pioneer in many ways. He was born in the proverbial log cabin in North Carolina, then at the age of 13, he traveled to East Texas with his family. He told about living in a dugout home, ranching, traveling by wagon. He homesteaded in the panhandle of Oklahoma and there he continued to invite travelers to bed down and share their food. You can find his compelling story here.
Often I think what I have is not good enough to share. And yet, that is not what is written in I Peter 4:7 – 11.
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen
To give even a cup of water in the name of Jesus honors Him. This scripture tells us to first of all to pray. Prayer and then love each other deeply. Through prayer for each other, our love grows for each other. Why should we love one another? Love covers a multitude of sins. Last Sunday, the message from Living Life on Loan (by Rusaw) helped me to see that God places the intersections in our lives with God according to His purposes. We plan, but yet, his purposes are first. He created us, He saved us from sin FOR the tasks in this life He has for us.
When we really see others as those who are created by God, we see God’s hand in their lives see what He sees. We are not just seeing the weaknesses inherent that each of us possesses.
During this election year millions of words fill our ears with cynicism and doubt. We are confused about our direction in this country. I am reminded of a time long past. A time in our country when a man’s word was his bond. When a dependable truth came from a man’s mouth.
Rufus Combs tells when he needed some mules to farm a cotton field, but had no money. He went to a near neighbor in Texas who sold mules. After the mules were chosen, and Rufus came to the time to settle up….but let him tell the story…..
Finally I got up courage enough and said, if you make up the note and mortgage for me, I will sign it and be on my way. He said, “We don’t do that away out in this country. You go on and take the mules home with you and this fall when you sell your cotton, you come pay me. “I couldn’t hardly believe my ears. About the only thing to do was get started with the mules down on the road. I felt like I stole them. I took them home and broke them. In a month or two I seen my Uncle and told him what happened. I got the mules all right. I told him to make out a note and I would sign it, and he said we don’t do that way out here. And he said, You just take the mules on home and when you get your crop, why come pay me. “ My Uncle said, yes, that’s the way we do things out here in the west. If a man’s word ain’t no good, and his name ain’t good, what’s the use of wasting all the paper?
And I wonder, is my word my bond? Do I talk with the His Words? Do I SEE every person as being created by our God? Do I do more than glance, but give my time and resources to those who need help? Retirement is no time to quit, but to live the good life, not as the world envisions a good life, but how my Lord envisions my life, using the gifts He has given me.
Colossians 3:15-17 gives us words to live by. A way to live in peace, and the hope of Jesus Christ!
Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.