Devotional 1-1-13

"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins." –Mark2:21-22

Happy New Year!
And you know what comes with the new year–resolutions. I confess, I have had the same resolution the last few years and keep falling far short. (Not the weight thing–that goes without saying). My resolution will again be to pay more attention to my friends. I get so caught up in my own little life, that reaching out to friends gets pushed to the bottom of my priority list.

Let me tell you a story about how doing a kindness for a friend can have far-reaching consequences.

My father’s memorial service was held a year ago on Jan. 3. There was a visitation time preceding the service and two women came in who I didn’t recognize. They greeted my Mother who was across the room from me and she was making gestures that said, “Look who’s here.” I asked several people near me if they knew who the mystery women were and no one had a clue. As they approached me one said, “You don’t know who I am, do you?” I had to admit the truth. She said. “I’m Sally, and this is my sister Susan.”*

Oh my goodness! I was instantly transported back 45 years to my maternal grandmother’s funeral in 1966. As I left that service Sally and I hugged each other. My grandmother had befriended her family, which had a pretty hard time. I don’t remember the circumstances, I think it was a simple case of lots of children and not enough money. My grandmother took them food, hired some of the children to work in her business and do odd jobs, and was someone the kids could talk to. And now, all these years later, Sally and Susan were two of the first people to come through the doors to comfort us and share in our grief. It just blew me away!

So, today I resolve, once again, to pay more attention to my friends.

Here are some words from Mahatma Gahdhi (1869-1948):
I will be truthful.
I will suffer no injustice.
I will be free from fear.
I will not use force.
I will be of good will to all men.

Happy New Year!
* Not their real names

Anita Gardner Farrell