“…The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” -Galatians 5:6
It was on Wednesday night, March 11, when I had finished teaching my Wednesday Night Alive class that someone came up to me and asked, “Did you hear that they cancelled the Thunder game just before tip-off?” It is hard to believe that it has been just over one month since that night. That was the night that we first heard of COVID-19 in Oklahoma City. It made national news, as the NBA quickly postponed its entire season. Since that night, I feel like I have been on a crazy, emotional roller coaster, with each new day bringing more and more changes to my life.
I must admit, I have struggled this past month. I have watched as my daughters’ schools were closed for the rest of the academic year. They love school, their friends and activities. They are all three broken hearted to miss out on these things. My wife, Aimee, is a teacher and it has been challenging for her to have had her year cut so short. She truly loves her students and teaching them. We have done our best to be at home together and we have found many blessings during this time. We have also experienced frustration. It is difficult when you feel like things are not in your control.
When things are not in our control, when we are frustrated, there is a practice that helps. That practice is serving others. When we focus on the needs of others, we find our own frustrations seem to diminish as we help our neighbors.
How can you help someone today? The past few weeks I have watched others serve in so many wonderful ways. I am so proud of our St. Luke’s family of faith as they feed so many around the metro. People are at home, sewing masks for others. Neighbors are delivering food to their friends and those in need. Others are calling their friends and family to check on them. It is a blessing to see how people are finding ways to care for others.
This week we are asking our St. Luke’s family of faith to write a note of gratitude to first responders, hospital staff, and the wonderful people who are on the front lines helping our community overcome this difficult time. I hope you will take time to write and express your gratitude. When we take time to bless others, we will find that we have much more to be thankful for than to be frustrated about. Love your neighbor, no exceptions.
https://stlukesokc.org/loveyourneighbor/give-thanks/
Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
