Thoughts on Romans 12; "Contribute to the Needs of the Saints"

One of our friends recently lost her young granddaughter after she was hit by a drunk driver. The way people, even those who don't know this family very well, have been coming around them filling in in the ways they can has been beautiful. We are continuing to lift them up in prayer, but we are also marveling at some of the stories they have to tell of how much this little girl's life touched so many people. The verse "Let no one despise you because of your youth" has really stood out to me with these stories.  No one is too young to make a difference, and no time is too short.

The saints are all of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Ephesians 2 tells us, "He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord." The needs can vary. The ways we can help will vary. But we were not made to stand alone. "Two are better than one". When we stand together, we are encouraged, uplifted, and made firm.

There are obvious needs. As when this family's precious girl died, there may be expenses to help cover or time to give. But there are also little things that many times we don't even think of. You can never underestimate the help a card or a smile can give. There have been so many times that others have given me a hug or asked how I was doing, or brought our family a meal while we were going through a busy time. Those were contributions to our needs. They may have been small, but it needed done, and they noticed that and weren't afraid to fill them. Sometimes it is the quietest that need the most to talk. Sometimes taking the time to notice someone can mean more to them than the most elaborate gift. Sometimes you'll find out only later that when you felt you should send that person a card it arrived on the very day everything seemed to be falling in on them. Maybe you won't find out at all. But the Lord has given us each other, not to take His place -He is the only one who can fulfill our needs- but when we stand together and serves other in ways that He can use to help them through their trials, His name is praised! "And why did God make us and all things? For His own glory!" :).