Daniel- not just a child's story

It has been a while since I've read the account of Daniel in the lion's den. I taught our Sunday school class the story this morning. What an amazing story!!! It's found in Daniel chapter 6 and is just 28 verses long. I highly enourage every one of you to read it- now or soon! Daniel was "faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him." And yet the presidents and princes wanted to find fault with him. Sounds familiar...

"So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God."

Love it!

As we have therefore opportunity...

let us do good unto all men,
especially unto them who are
of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:10

As most of you know, my mom's mom- my Granny- lives just a few miles from me, so I'm able to see her quite often. Spending time with her at the nursing home I feel like I'm in a totally different world. I see sad things, happy things, frustrating things, and on one day I saw something that was quite encouraging.

After the residents eat their meal, the ones who are able start their slow trek in their wheelchairs from the dining room back to their own rooms. Even though they are only moving a very short distance, it still takes most of them a LONG time. As I was sitting with my Granny, I noticed a resident was stuck and just couldn't keep moving by herself. She was quietly struggling to move, but was not having any success at all. The next thing I knew another lady came along (slowly, of course) in a wheelchair and gave this resident a little push. Then wheeled to catch up and pushed her again. This cycle continued. Push, catch up, push, catch up.

In this, the Lord taught me even if I'm hurting (in a wheelchair, so to speak), I can still help others. I don't know a single person who has not felt some kind of pain or who has not suffered loss of some sort. We all have hurts. We all need encouragement in this life.

It would have been much easier for me if I would have just gotten out of my chair and helped the resident who was struggling to move her wheelchair. Instead I was able to witness a beautiful scene of selflessness and thoughtfulness. What a lonely and sad life would be lived if we continually focus on self. Help us, Lord, to open our eyes and see those who could use encouragement and help.

As a side note: after my mom died (it still hurts to write that...) some of the most precious comfort came from those who suffered very great losses themselves. They opened their hearts and poured out their love. I will be forever grateful to these dear people.