There
are people who are overlooked all the time.
But what makes them over looked?
Several answers are given to that question. Some of the answers I can understand, and
some answers make me mad. We are busy
people who are running in every direction with lots to do and little time to
waste.
But
hold on a minute. Much of the time the
reason is we are so busy being self-centered, self-absorbed and seeking to make
ourselves or our families better than others.
That might not be true of you, but we know people who are that way.
Too
often there are people over looked. Who
are those people? What are their
needs? How can we make a difference in
their lives or in their situation?
1 Peter 3:8 NLT
Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted,
and keep a humble attitude.
There is the young mother who has made some bad choices, but
she is in a situation that has taken over her life. People have been mean to her or deceived her
into thinking that she is worthless. The
kids have seen so many bad things and have not had the opportunities that many
of our kids have had. Their pain, the
mom and the kids, goes deep and will take a lifetime to cope with. What this young lady needs to see and hear is
that God has not forgotten her and that God loves her and her kids with
unconditional love.
A middle-aged man has fallen on tough luck due to the economy
and a few other factors as well. Things
seemed to be going well until he lost his job.
His family is gone, and he has few friends other than the people who
have used him. Many people have come
through his life, but he can’t trust anyone.
The lies and the pain of life have left him troubled, jaded and covering
up his struggles. What this guy needs to
hear is that he has lots of potential and that God has not given up on
him.
Prison is a difficult place, but one man has been released
after spending several decades behind the concrete walls and the razor
wire. He was very young when he was
sentenced, and life has drifted by leaving him unable to deal with the
situations he finds on the outside.
Health issues, depression, the lack of jobs and being alone have led him
to not trust anyone and to believe that his death is the only way out. What this man needs is to know that God cares
and that God has a plan for his life. He
needs someone to speak into his life the words of God. That is words of encouragement, joy and
abundance.
Isaiah 58:7
NLT
Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to
the homeless. Give clothes to those who need
them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
Those that are too often over looked will be encouraged and
changed by people who will turn their direction and offer a helping hand. That help could be in offering an ear to
listen, a ride to an appointment, an invitation to dinner with your family or
even to pay a bill. It could be as
simple as kind word or going out of your way to let someone know you care.
Too many people are over looked every day, and you and I can
do something about it. Put a name with
that person you noticed. Ask a question
or go out of your way. This Christmas
season may we help some people not be over looked ever again.
Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts
to those who need them, they will thank God.
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