BITS AND PIECES…

Today I’m writing a Bits and Pieces post. Why? Because I wrote a post for this week, a week that is rapidly vanishing amidst activities and doctor appointments. In the middle of writing it, I read something that helped me understand that the topic I was writing about was not nearly as short and simple as I originally thought. So it is back to the drawing board where I will have to slice and dice it down further in order to make it more useful and helpful for you, my readers. So for that reason, I’ll be writing some bits and pieces here today. I hope you enjoy.

I’m planning for a January 2022 Spiritual Growth Challenge here

I have also been making plans for January in this space. I plan to have a fun challenge here for us in order to do some work on our spiritual lives together. I think you will enjoy it. I’m getting the plans in order now. I hope you feel a little curiosity. For now, that is all I can say until my plans are better lined up. So keep watching. It will be a 5 week challenge for the Mondays in January. It will be a cooperative challenge with some other blog friends as well that I’m certain you will find helpful and hopeful as you enter a new year. It will start Monday, January 2.

Think of the caregivers in your life during Thanksgiving

Don’t forget the caregivers you know during Thanksgiving. Are they totally shut in and some of your meal would encourage them? Do they need a visit to encourage them? Have they recently lost the person they were caring for? Maybe they would appreciate an invitation to your family meal. Just being part of a family for a day can lift a person’s spirit. Having an extra guest often helps your family behave better too!

Watching children and their antics, participating in board games, watching football or having quiet conversations after the meal over dessert…whatever it is that makes up your family’s Thanksgiving. Yes, he or she may shed some tears as they remember their loved one, but it still may be an enjoyable day for them. Think about it. It is all about being truly hospitable.

Another time during this season they may appreciate your kindness is during pre-Christmas events. It depends on the limits of the person they are caring for, but if they can get out at all, they may enjoy a Christmas concert at church and your help getting there, help with driving through the community to see Christmas lights, your help putting up some decorations in their home…let your imagination take you along with a conversation with the caregiver.

Again, this would also apply to a caregiver who has recently lost their loved one. They may not have much desire or energy to get out and do much. Just being invited to do or go somewhere would mean a lot.

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Romans 12:9-13 ESV

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace…
—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

I Peter 4:7-10, 11b ESV