Some Food for Thought

A man asked his rabbi: "Why does God write the law ON our hearts? Why not IN our hearts? It's the inside of my heart that needs God."

 

      The rabbi answered, "God never forces anything into a human heart. He writes the word on our hearts so that when our hearts break, God falls in."

 

      Christmas time is a meaningful, special, beautiful time for most of us. But many people in this world have broken hearts. A lot of men and women are grieving the loss of a beloved spouse, parent, family member, child, or friend. Many people are depressed, sad, lost, hopeless, and desperately in need of a Savior. Let's remember to "be Jesus with skin on" and reach out to the brokenhearted this holiday. Here are some practical suggestions:

 

      -Invite your neighbors over for dinner one night before Christmas.  

      -Say "Merry Christmas!" to every salesperson you meet.

      -Have an "old Christmas movie fest" with friends and family. Break out "White Christmas," "Miracle on 34th Street," "The Grinch," "A Charlie Brown Christmas," 'Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer," and some other fun classics. Make popcorn and hot chocolate and stay up too late! 

      -Give to the Salvation Army and encourage one of those people standing out in the cold! 

      -Buy a gift or donate a new toy to a needy child.

      -Keep your eyes open for needs within your own family.

      -Offer to babysit for a friend so she can do some Christmas shopping.

      -Make a gift or bake cookies for a lonely person.  

      -Call someone you haven't talked to for a while.

      -Turn off the TV and computer and spend some quality time with your spouse.

      -Take your kids someplace just for fun.

      -Have a birthday party for Jesus and invite family members, friends, and neighbors.

      -Send a special holiday gift to a missionary or a person in ministry who lives on support.

      -Invite a college or seminary student to your home for the holidays. At Dallas Theological Seminary, I knew many international students who had nowhere to go for Christmas.

      -Tell your children the REAL reason for the season.

 

      What other suggestions do you have for helping those with broken hearts this Christmas?