Randy’s Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Rolls
Stooping low
Yet reaching high,
Dirty hands
Cleansed feet,
Dish out
Dish up.
Salt and light.
Forget self
Find peace.
The World says senseless,
God says GREATNESS.
Goodness has no particular face, no nationality, no political or church affiliation.
The Good Samaritan tried to mind his own business,
but his heart wouldn’t let him.
A different kind of heart plagued the Priest and the Levite. These religious gurus knew the scriptures– lived, wrote, and quoted them, but could’t be bothered to help an wounded fellow Jew.
Did their horrified stare freeze them aghast?
Did a selfish whisper declare “From the looks of his injuries he wouldn’t survive anyway, so might as well keep moving”? Or the assumption made that death already arrived, but in too big a hurry to even check? Or with averted eyes, pretend not to see him at all?
Maybe distaste for blowing in late to an important meeting provided the weak excuse. Maybe the terror of lurking thieves still waiting and watching for new conquests prevailed on this winding dangerous road known as “The Way of Blood” fueling their haste.
Whatever the reasoning,
their heart hardened just enough
to allow them to put themselves first. The odor of a coward wafted it’s stench as each man hurried by on the far side of the road, declining to slow down long enough to even check the pulse of a beaten-to-pulp countryman.
Even though the Samaritan’s heritage hailed from the despised Gentile race,
he showered compassion on a someone who might hate him. His tender heart refused to let him ignore the broken man. He saved this Jew’s life by carrying him to safety on his own donkey. A long ride, now made even longer and riskier by the slow gait the situation demanded.
He paid the innkeeper for prolonged care, with no strings attached, not knowing if the man would embrace him or reject him in the end.
But that was beside the point.
Because it was the right thing to do.
***********
Read the whole story in Luke 10:25-37
36-37 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “ The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him go and do likewise.”
-Do you have the heart of a servant? You have a special God given talent and ways to serve that maybe only you can.
-List some ways YOU can serve. Pick one to do this week.
-An element of peace is knowing you did the right thing
Loree, great thoughts right in line with a conversation I had earlier this week with someone with the gift of compassion. She wanted to know how to use that gift …any thoughts? Thanks for another reminder.
Cool! A gift like compassion can be used in small but powerful ways by being a good listener and empathizer, or being the one who gives hugs freely. I sometimes don’t realize how much I need a hug until I’m given one by a sweet church lady. She can also be the one who takes a meal or sends a note of encouragement to the sick or shut in. But on a larger scale, depending on your location, she can be a blessing to others by volunteering at a local soup kitchen or church food pantry.