Time is a Great Gift to Share

Over the years I’ve talked many times about how the small things we do throughout our lives really make a difference. God uses these small things in big ways. One of the original posts I made on this was entitled, “How to Change the World Today!” Today I intend to change the world!

I’m leaving soon for another round of treatment. I always have a strange feeling about treatment day. I dread it and look forward to it at the same time.

Why would I even be excited about it? Well it’s about the small things. I get to meet new people. New nurses, new patients, new friends and family of others. Some I will meet just in passing and may not get much more than a smile and nod of my head in hello. Some I may get to strike up a conversation with. Others I may spend the entire 6 hours I’m there with them. These are all new opportunities that God has put before us. These are paths we cross, not randomly, but purposefully placed there by God. These small interactions can make a huge difference in someone’s life.

I also get to see people that I’ve seen throughout the process the last 6 months. These are people I’m building relationships with. The doctors, the nurses, the lady that checks us out at the cafeteria, other patients that have similar appointment schedules as I do. These relationships that are being built over time have opened doors for new friendships and have blessed others as well as myself in so many ways.

Regardless of whether these encounters are new or have been built over time, they are all ordained by God for his glory. I could easily stay within myself and ignore these people. The good Lord knows I have plenty to keep my mind occupied. But instead I choose to be aware of those around me.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Colossians 4:2-6

Be always watchful and thankful for the opportunities that God sends your way regardless of the situation. And we know from scripture that this is important.

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

James 2: 14-18

Sometimes the deeds that are necessary in the cancer treatment centers are simply spending time with others and showing that you care and love them. That is often enough to get them through their treatment for the day. I know it works on me when others have struck up conversations with me.

Don’t miss the opportunities to show others that you care. Time is often the greatest gift you can give to someone else and truly shows the love that Christ has for us. Christ spent the time with the least of us to show how much he loves us. We can easily do the same for others.