Handle With Care.
Rev. Warren talks about taking care of ourselves, and others. A message we all need to hear!
Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 2:8
“So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.”
Proverbs 4.23 (NIV)
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Handling with Care Involves Mindfulness
Iyanla Vanzant is quoted as saying: “When someone entrusts their heart to you they are giving you a piece of their soul. You cannot treat the soul casually. You must protect, nurture and handle it with care.”
That can be a tall order.
How do we protect, nurture, and handle with care?
We must be mindful of our words.
Are we mindful enough of the people before us that we are able to tailor our words for them and their specific situation?
What works for one person may not work for another.
We must be mindful of our actions. Are we mindful enough of the people before us that we are able to tailor our actions for them and their specific situation?
We have to realize that what works for some people and is much appreciated doesn’t work for others.
For example, some elderly people who have difficulty walking, perhaps they are using a cane, or a walker, appreciate having a door held open for them.
Others may want to show that despite their challenge, they are capable, and want to open the door themselves.When we care, we might be bold enough to ask what they need and want.
When it comes to caring for others, I think it’s important to be mindful of how we think about them because that will influence how we treat them. Do we think of them as ill or whole? Do we think of them as poor or see God’s infinite substance available to them? If they live far away, do we think of them as being alone and without support, or do we know for them that the Christ they are ensures they have everything they need for their well-being?
Caring for Self
Just a few brief words about caring for ourselves.
We cannot truly care for another being unless we first care for ourselves.
We have the classic example of the flight attendants, before every flight takes off, they let us know that if we were to need oxygen, that we need to put our own masks on before assisting others.
We must ensure that we care for ourselves by tending to our spiritual growth; eating nourishing foods; exercising; getting enough sleep; taking the time to engage in activities that renew us. Knowing when we need down-time.
A personal example of this happened to me on Friday. Late Friday afternoon, I experienced lower back pain like I’ve never had before. As long as I didn’t try to bend up or down, it was tolerable, but having to bend over felt nearly impossible. It hurt so much, I actually laughed. Despite the long list of to-dos that I had, I had to take care of my body. That meant minimizing moving around and taking the time to physically rest.
It meant that yesterday, I didn’t do the laundry, didn’t exercise.
I was forced to slow down, to take care of my body’s needs.
As a result of that handling with care, I am grateful because I am much better today, but still needing to pause and rest.
We must listen to our Highest Self and follow that guidance in our own self care so that we may care for others.
When We Feel We’re Not Doing Enough
I have to admit, I didn’t want to do this talk. One sentence in today’s Daily Word really stuck out. That is, “I may feel my efforts are not enough.”
I have an internal critic that often tells me that. I really felt like if I were to give this talk I’d be hypocritical. I often feel like I’m not doing nearly enough. Yet, it is necessary that I fully realize I am doing everything I can with where I am on my own path, with my own set of circumstances. It is not helpful to compare myself to what others do because in that comparison, I’m likely to always fall short.
If you can relate to that, then we have to realize we can’t do it all. We have to ask our Highest Self, what is mine to do?
Then we follow that guidance.
We have to realize that the activity of God is indeed streaming through so many hearts and hands as The Daily Word stated.
We have an example of doing what can be done in the Apostle Paul. He spent 3-plus weeks in Thessalonica. During that time, he formed a very close relationship with them. Then he traveled on to Athens where he was waiting for Silas and Timothy. While he waited, something nagged at him. He became concerned for the Thessalonians, wondering how they were doing regarding staying true to the Christian teachings he had imparted to them. His impulse to care resulted in his first letter to the Thessalonians.
Chapter 2, verse 8 reads: “So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.”
We can hear in these words a depth of both affection and care.
Later in chapter 2, Paul let’s them know he and his companions wanted to get back to them, but were unable to. Instead of worrying about not being able to travel back to Thessalonica, his act of caring would be demonstrated by the letter to them.
An act of caring doesn’t have to be a grand gesture to make a difference. It just needs to come from the heart; when it does, it is sufficient.
Conclusion
When it comes to handling with care, here is your homework for the week.
Ask your body what can you do to better care for it?
Ask your mind what can you do to better care for it?
In prayer, ask what is yours to do to care for others?
Then, in meditation, listen for the guidance from your Christ Self.
Be mindful of how you care for yourself, others, and your relationships.
As our unknown poet wrote, “And as the ripple of kindness spreads far and wide, we can make a difference, we can change the tide.”
