“Look After Widows. . .”
Earlier this month, my family and I traveled to Colorado and Arizona. The purpose of our time in Colorado was wholly leisure. We hiked, explored, relaxed, rested, and reveled in the adventure of God’s beautiful creation–the mountains, trees, and trails. Simply awe-inspiring from a loving God worthy of worship!
The purpose of our time in Arizona was to serve, to love, and to enjoy the family God gave us. My grandmother has had a difficult few months after hip surgery and we wanted to visit with her and serve those in Arizona caring so faithfully for her. Each leg of this journey was meaningful and taught us profound truths about our life in Christ.
COLORADO:
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
John 14:3
We were breathless. . .and not only because of the altitude in Colorado, one day up higher than 14,000 feet. . .but also because of the beauty of this part of the country. Absolutely breathtaking with all the textures, colors, scents, terrain, variety and depth. My photographer husband and son were in their element, clicking away faster than I could blink.
(Photographs by Michael Woodmansee)
Then it hit me. God thought up this creation. God came up with this landscape. God gave us this beauty to enjoy, take care of, explore, and remind us of how worthy He is of praise! And when He crafted this and gifted it to us, it was perfect. But then sin tainted it. So, as I marvel in the awesomeness of nature, and I worship the Creator who spoke it all into being, I cannot help but remember that this world is not our forever home. Heaven and the new earth will be the beauty we see here magnified exponentially and minus the sin. I do not know about you but that nearly gives me chills.
ARIZONA:
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.”
James 1:27
The Holy Spirit, through my son’s willing hands and feet, ministered to my family in Arizona. My sweet grandmother who is 85 years old and simply adored by us all was served by her 9 year old great-grandson. He helped remind her of her medication, he helped carry her walker, he read the Psalms to her as she settled down for the night, and he loved her in a way that brought a smile to her face. . .and mine. You see, I love serving with my family. I love watching my son serve because it is evidence of the Spirit of God working in his heart to fulfill the commandment to take care of the orphans and widows. So as a parent it is important for me to present to him those opportunities to serve and to remind him that, as the body of Christ, there are people in need and it is our hands and feet that can be put to use for His glory!
To learn more about our serving opportunities at Urban Bible Outreach, please click here.