Tuesday’s Musings: Becoming Noticers

Modified and used 9-28-20 

Matthew 15:1-2 Rules from the elders -  Then Pharisees and legal experts came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said,  “Why are your disciples breaking the elders’ rules handed down to us? They don’t ritually purify their hands by washing before they eat.”

This past Sunday my message was on the conflict between Jesus and some of the religious leaders.  They were hung up on the observation of man-made traditions while they themselves ignored the commandment of God to honor their parents by refusing to help them.  Instead they said they consecrated their funds to God.  We pointed out that while they were noticing people breaking the rules, Jesus was noticing those who were around him who needed love and healing and caring.  I challenged those in the congregation to become noticers.  Noreen Conort noticed one of my plants was dying and repotted it.  Yesterday morning I noticed an ambulance & fire truck on a neighborhood street.  EMT’s carried someone out of the house on a stretcher and put them in the back of the ambulance.  I noticed a young woman standing in her own driveway wiping away tears.  I immediately walked up to her and said, “Does anyone need prayers? I’m a pastor.”   She explained that our neighbor Trish who has a bad hip had been putting off needed surgery.  However she had been unable to get out of bed even with help for the past few days and needed professional transport to get her to the hospital.  I had prayed with and for Trish in the past.  My new friend Blanca and I held hands in the driveway and I felt the power of the Holy Spirit working through me as we prayed a powerful prayer together for Trish with praise for our EMT’s and good neighbors.  She said, “Sometimes when you need prayer the most God sends someone along to pray for you.”  I revealed that I had been praying for myself that morning and really needed someone to pray with me.  God helped me achieve the peace I needed as I was helping someone else. Whom can you notice today?

Loving God, I pray you continue to be with Trish and place your healing hand upon her hip.  I pray for Blanca and her little girl Madison as they settle into Hapeville.  I praise you for answering prayer for myself. And we pray you will help us notice others who need our care.  We offer this in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Have a blessed day,
Paige