“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your God in heaven.”    ~    Matthew 5:16

Do you know that you carry with you the presence of Jesus? Do you know what it means to have the presence of Jesus?

Looking at the life of Jesus,

No matter what Jesus did, no matter where he was,

This past week, David and I were running errands and stopped to pick up supper at Jersey Mike’s. He and I entered and as we were talking, a woman pushing a walker tried to get in the door. I noticed she was struggling, so went to help her. I turned back to finish my conversation with David, but I heard her crying.

I walked over and asked what I could do to help her. As she rubbed her hands together, she told me about having to wait for her cab, but the Credit Union lobby closed so she had to wait outside. It was cold, so she decided to walk to Jersey Mike’s to wait inside and stay warm. But the walk was brutal.

She shared that she has stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, and being in the cold makes her extremities hurt. (I assume there are a few of you who understand that.) I shared with her that I had cancer as well. I gave her a hug, and as we continued our conversation, I reached into my coat pockets and helped her put on my fuzzy gloves. After a moment, it registered what happened, and she looked at me with eyes of confusion. In between sentences, I told her they were for her, and her face melted, and once again, we were in an embrace.

She noticed David had our bag, and abruptly ended our conversation, thanking me for like the tenth time for the gloves. David looked over and said, “You can keep talking. We realized they forgot one of the sandwiches so it will be a few minutes.”

Just like that, we were hugging again, and I was able to pray over her like I wanted to in the beginning.

As David and I headed home, he told me I need to wipe of the words “Tell me what is going on in your life.” from my forehead. Of course, he was joking, but here’s the thing. Even if it were actually posted on my forehead, I couldn’t stop asking the questions or helping those I see who need help. Even if it is one at a time.

Many of you have come into my office during my office hours, and you always apologize for interrupting me. How many times have you heard me say, “Ministry is interruption.”? It is the truth.

I would challenge you to go through and read several (or all!) of Jesus’ miracles. Most of them are done because Jesus was interrupted. Most of the time, Jesus had other plans.

He and his friends were enjoying themselves at a wedding where his mother instructed him to do something about the couple running out of wine.

He was teaching and preaching to a crowd of people when Jairus, a synagogue leader, approached him about curing his sick daughter.

Then, he was on his way to Jairus’ house when a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years touched his tunic, believing he could heal her. And he did.

He was sleeping soundly in the boat when the disciples woke him because of the storm, and he calmed it.

Carrying the presence of Jesus means that we intentionally choose to meet people where they are, no matter what we are doing at the time. It means that we are intentionally paying attention to what is going on around us, and noticing when people need help, or a hug, or a smile, or a kind word. It means we intentionally show compassion, grace, mercy, and love even when we don’t think we have time; even if the person is a stranger; even if it makes us feel uncomfortable.

But Pastor Heidi, walking up to someone who is crying, or even just approaching someone is really hard. Of course it’s hard! If it weren’t hard, everyone would be doing it, and we’d be living in a whole different kind of world!

But that different kind of world—the Realm of the Kin-dom of God, is our goal. And those of us who believe we carry the presence of Jesus within us, must be the ones to begin the conversations. “Is there anything I can pray about for you today?” “What can I help you with today?” “Hi. My name is ……… “

Kindness, gentleness, mercy, grace, forgiveness, faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is LOVE.

Always Peace, Pastor Heidi