Quiet Times for Moms of Littles
Editor’s Note:
This is the second in a collection of spiritual reflections on the famous passage on Love in 1 Corinthians 13, written and compiled at the end of 2019. Two of our sisters in Christ – Jan Mitchell and Mary Shapiro (see their bios at the end of this article)– lead a group of young mothers and wanted to create a quiet time series for them on the theme of Love. This series is the fruit of that effort.
By Jan Mitchell
1 Corinthians 13:4
If we need anything here in the USA at this time, it is for us to be kind to one another! Let's begin by defining "kindness" - selfless, compassionate, merciful, generous, empathetic, considerate of others. Jesus was the ultimate role model of kindness. When he could have condemned the woman caught in adultery, he didn't. When he could have shrunk away from the man with leprosy, he reached out and touched him. When the 4000 gathered to listen to Jesus' teaching, it says he had compassion for them because they had been listening to him for so long with nothing to eat. Then he fed them from the four loaves. When he was tired to the bone, he healed people.
In Matthew 9:36 it says that when he saw the crowds he had compassion on them. He saw through to what was really going on in their hearts and lives. It says he saw that "they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." When Lazarus died, Jesus wept. He knew that he would raise him from the dead, but he first felt what those who loved Lazarus felt. In Hebrews 4:15 it says, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin." Luke 13:10ff tells of the woman who was crippled by a spirit for 18 years. She was bent over and could not straighten up. He saw her and called her over to him. He touched her.
And ultimately we know that Jesus could have called 10,000 angels so that he would not have to go through the pain, humiliation, and agony of the cross. But he did the extraordinarily kind thing and suffered for us.
I could go on with many other stories of the kindness and compassion of Jesus. There are many, many scriptures telling us and commanding us to be kind. It's not always the first thing that comes to my mind, I'm sad to say. I get angry at times and let unkind words spill out of my mouth. I get hurried and impatient and want the person in front of me at the checkout counter to not ask so many questions and need prices checked. I forget to mend the hole in Mitch's sleeve that he asked me to do two days ago. I forget because I am too busy thinking of what "I" need to do. When I am keeping “in step with the Spirit" (Gal 5:25), I stop to help the woman in a wheelchair reach something off the shelf at the store. I let the person in back of me in line with fewer items go first. I speak kindly and softly to my grandsons who are having an argument.
Kindness is intentional. I don't believe that it comes naturally to many of us. It certainly doesn't to me. But Galatians 5 does say that it is a gift of the Holy Spirit. That means that all of us can possess it. It means that I can model it and teach it to my children. What wonderful news that is, in a world that deeply needs us to show them Jesus. I am posting a story below that touched me deeply and that I believe is the essence of what Jesus wants us to feel for one another:
The anthropologist invited the children from the African tribe to play one game. He placed a basket of fruit near the tree and announced, addressing the children: "The one of you who reaches the tree first will be rewarded with all sweet fruits." When he signaled to the children to start the race, they locked their hands tightly and ran together, and then they all sat together and enjoyed the delicious fruit.
The astonished anthropologist asked the children why they all ran together, because each of them could enjoy the fruit for himself. To which the children replied: "Obonato". Is it possible for one to be happy if everyone else is sad? "Obonato" in their language means: "I exist because we exist."
Jan Mitchell : Jan has been a disciple for over 40 years. She and her husband, Mitch, have been married for 43 years, been on staff at 6 different churches, have 2 children and 3 grandchildren. She is a die-hard Wolfpack fan, and enjoys spending time teaching and training, traveling and playing outside with their grandchildren. She currently lives in the greater Raleigh, NC area.
Dr. Mary Shapiro is currently the Director of the ADHD Clinic at Duke Medical School's Southern Regional Area Health Education Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where she specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, behavior disorders, and other childhood conditions. For the 30 years prior to moving to North Carolina, she and her husband, Dr. Michael Shapiro, were in private practice in Athens, Georgia, where they served children and adults in predominately rural and underserved areas. She completed her PhD in Educational Psychology at the University of Georgia in 1984 and interned in the Department of Neurology at the Medical College of Georgia. She and her husband have lectured extensively (both domestically and abroad) on topics related to child psychology, parenting, marriage, adoption, and mental health issues in a Christian context. They have authored two publications for Discipleship Press International; “Rejoice Always: A Manual for Christians Facing Emotional Challenges” and “Understanding Sexual Behavior in Children: How to be Proactive in Educating and Protecting your Children.
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