Pastor's Post 5/25/2023

Dear Shiloh Family, 

     The Vanderbilt Medical Center waiting area was heavily occupied and to the claustrophobic, a bit tight.  Undoubtedly, Mom had already been taken back for her surgical procedure, and Dad was left to tend to his four-year-old daughter, and a little guy who couldn’t be more than two months.  Little Lassie was busy keeping house with the waiting room reading material, but sonny boy was not happy.  You get the picture?   

     Onlookers smiled and awed as the Man calmly yielded to the demands of the young Martha Stewart, while doing his best to meet the ever-increasing needs of his son.  Smiles turned to sympathy and anxiety as the young father tried feeding, burping, changing and bouncing…to no avail.  As eyes met around the small room, every stare seemed to plead, “What can we do? Or should we do anything?” 

     A couple of Grandmotherly type ladies were nearly past the point of restraint when an angel of mercy appeared.  Out of nowhere, a nurse with a smile as large as Texas, knelt and began to ooh and coo.  Then came the question of the moment, “May I hold him?” 

     Without hesitation, the grateful dad replied, “Please do.” 

     The infant was hoisted straight to the shoulder. A few pats on the back, a bounce, a rock, a few notes of a lullaby, and Junior was sleeping contently.  The temptation was to erupt in spontaneous applause, but no one dared for fear of waking little dude. He was still sleeping when we left. 
  

Matthew 25:35-36:  35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;  

36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'  NKJV
 

     I have pondered that moment.  I can’t help but believe there are folks around us…men, women, young and old who are struggling with kids, finances, domestic issues, spiritual battles, emotional haunts, and looming giants.  It might seem like there is no help, but God has that one person who has just the right word, smile, or hug to put those struggles to rest. You may be that person.  Allow God to use you to help someone this week.   

     I’m glad God heard my cry, sent His son to die for me, and gave me His Spirit to comfort me.  There was no one else to intervene, but He knew just what to do. 
  

Psalm 40:1-2:  40 I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me and heard my cry.  2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. NKJV
 

May I help you can only be answered in two ways.  Neither of them hurts very badly. 
             

God bless you all, 

Pastor Derrell