A Watching World

Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.

Psalm 1:1-3 NIV

My paternal grandfather was another source of spiritual strength in my life, even though it wasn’t until adulthood that I realized how much.

Papa was a great man of God and taught me much about faith lived out in real life. When my grandmother needed his full-time care, he provided it without fail. In their dormitory rooms at the retirement home, Papa took care of her every need. And when she was moved into memory care, he spent most of every day with her, though she was unable to communicate. He fed her. He washed her clothes.

He sat with her and held her hand.

He was the husband he promised to be all those years ago when they spoke their vows before God - in sickness and in health.

But it wasn’t just my grandmother he took care of - he was constantly watching for ways to help the employees of the retirement center as well.

When he saw a need, he met it, whether it was buying a coat for a young employee he noticed was without or praying for the staff when they were facing difficulties. He lived out his faith.

This was his greatest testimony.

It causes me to pause and consider my own testimony to those watching me:

Am I living a life that follows the way of Jesus?

Am I generous, looking for ways to minister to others?

Am I steadfast?

Am I prayerful?

Am I selfless?

As a teen, my eyes were on my grandfather - how he spoke to people, his reaction to those in need, his generosity of spirit - how he lived like his Savior every day.

Are we the same?

There is a wide-watching world out there, hungry for something they can’t name, but can recognize. What are we offering to them?

As an adult, I think about my grandparents often - the things they taught me and the lives they modeled. And I wish I’d paid closer attention while they were still here.

But now we are those people.

May our everyday walk resound with the love and compassion and generosity of Jesus each day of our lives.

Today is a GOOD day!

Natalie