Thoughtful

​Have you ever been hugged by someone and it just seemed like the cares and hurts no longer seemed so bad?  Doris is the queen of hugs.  Someone avoided by others she approaches and gives her signature loving embrace.  Doris will occasionally ask Dan if is okay for someone to come home with them for a meal or maybe to stay for a night, a week, or a month.   If there is a hidden need, Doris will find it.  Out of her own personal pain and trials, God gave this woman eyes to see deep into the hearts of others and to respond with thoughtfulness. Her legacy is her loving touch!  

Meditation
Matthew 15:32—Now Jesus summoned His disciples and said, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they’ve already stayed with Me three days and have nothing to eat.  I don’t want to send them away hungry; otherwise they might collapse on the way.”
 
Jesus invested three days on a mountain near the Sea of Galilee teaching large crowds that brought with them all kinds of people with different sicknesses, deformities, and handicaps. I imagine the disciples after hearing His words of compassion felt like telling Him it was not His or their job to feed 4000 men and the women and children who accompanied them.  I suspect they were exhausted.  However, what they were learning firsthand was that the Messiah was not just powerful and wise, He was also thoughtful.

A thoughtful person sees opportunities where others see obstacles.   A considerate person sets aside self-interest when the need to serve arises. Thoughtful people have the ability to look forward instead of tripping over the past or bogging down in the present. Kindness is a trademark of heaven.  So when one listens to God’s Spirit is it so surprising that He leads so that another’s wants are assuaged?  

I wonder how many people are won to God through the thoughtfulness of His children?  Conversely, how many want nothing to do with Christ because of Christians who seemed pricklier than cactus or as helpful as a basket with holes! The parable of the Good Samaritan is a tale of thoughtfulness that stung the listening religious leaders.  Jesus revealed that their proud piety was more a loud pity.  
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To be thoughtful we observe, listen, and act at the opportune moment in faith.  The disciples saw seven loaves and a few small fish as ridiculously insufficient amidst a symphony of growling stomachs.  Jesus saw a feast in the making.   That’s why it is important to have friends like Doris and a Savior named Jesus—they model the power of caring.  
 
Inspiration 
Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence, or learning.—Frederick W. Faber
 
©2011 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)