Many of you are on the Daniel Fast or are getting ready to start it. I’m gearing up to begin on January 9th myself! My plan is to post daily with devotions, recipes, and whatever else might be helpful for your journey with the Lord.
Today, though, I’m continuing the story of Georgia, which is a story I started writing a few weeks ago. If you haven’t read Parts 1-7, take a few minutes to do so before reading today’s post.
Be encouraged today. The Lord is at work all around you. Perhaps there is a Georgia in your life He wants you to touch.
“As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” – Galatians 6:10
One morning after I dropped Isabelle off at school, Jocelyn and I stopped by Georgia’s house to surprise her with two Pineapple Citrus Muffins that I’d made. Georgia greeted us at the door.
“Good morning!” I said. “Have you had breakfast yet?”
Georgia nodded, and showed me the opened can of green beans in her hand. The other hand held a fork. This will not do, I thought.
Even though Georgia had assured me that she gets food and snacks while she’s out walking, I seriously doubted that she was eating enough. Also, I’d suspected that her food choices weren’t well balanced or healthy. Therefore, that day I decided that I would deliver meals to her as often as possible. Since I love to cook, it would be a joy for me to serve her in that way.
Jocelyn headed straight for the stuffed animals, as usual, and I went into the kitchen to prepare Georgia’s breakfast. Along with the muffins, I’d brought butter, honey, strawberry jelly, and peanut butter, trying to cover all the bases of what Georgia might like. She chose peanut butter. I poured her a glass of orange juice to go with it.
This particular visit was about a week before Christmas, so most of our conversation that day centered around what presents Isabelle and Jocelyn were hoping to find under the tree. Curious, I asked Georgia, “What do you want for Christmas?” Fully expecting her to say, “Nothing,” I was taken aback by her reply. “A nice family,” she said.
I was speechless. In her reply, I heard much more. Georgia had shared the deepest longing of her heart to me in those three words. What she was really saying was, “I’m lonely for close relationships. I need people in my life who accept me want to spend time with me. That’s the only thing I want.”
Our family isn’t merely doing a good deed by reaching out to Georgia. Nor are we simply demonstrating kindness in practical ways to an elderly woman. We are literally and figuratively wrapping our arms around this precious lady, embracing her with the love of Christ. By opening our hearts to Georgia and meeting her practical needs, we’re inviting her into our home, into our lives, and into our family.