Nourish Your Heart

(My grandmother, Anna Daisy Siemens, wrote poetry and prose. This devotion was written and published for Devotions for the Deaf in 1994)

Romans 12:15 – Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Job felt that his misery outweighed the sands of the seas but his friends thought he deserved all his boils. They had no compassion for Job. Neither could Haman rejoice for Mordecai when the King honored this Jew. So what is harder to do, to rejoice with others or to grieve with them? Jesus set us an example. He did both.

In Luke 15, Jesus tells the three stories. A shepherd leaves a flock of ninety-nine to find one lost sheep. A woman swept her house to search until she found her one lost coin. The prodigal son received a royal welcome when he came home. They all invited neighbors to rejoice in their own joy. We should rejoice with every sinner that comes home.

Jesus wept at Lazarus’ tomb. He grieved for Jerusalem and for the rich young ruler. He comforts us in sorrow and rejoices with his every blessing.

Prayer: Lord, give me compassion for those around me and for all of God’s creatures.

(My grandmother, Anna Daisy Siemens, wrote poetry and prose. This devotion was written and published for Devotions for the Deaf in 1994)

Matthew 25:36 – I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Jesus must weep for the nursing homes packed with sick and feeble people — worn-out bodies with confused minds. They cry for help. Some have no relatives and some families no love.

Age traps some people in their own bodies. They need your smile, a word of hope, a loaf of bread, or a hot bowl of soup. They might appreciate a country ride or see children at play. That would cheer their day.

For hospital visits: a word of caution. Be brief! Mary, a cafe cook, stopped at Fran’s hospital room each day. She spent five minutes with a word of cheer. Later Fran said, “Your visits were precious. Your brevity made them doubly so.”

Jesus reminds us that if we give a cup of water in His name, we will not lose our reward (Mark 4:41). Why not share a card, flower, or a touch in Jesus’ name.

Prayer: Lord, give me time and a willingness to visit those in need.

(My grandmother, Anna Daisy Siemens, wrote poetry and prose. This devotion was written and published for Devotions for the Deaf in 1994)

John 13:13-15 – You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one anothers feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Salome asked Jesus to seat her sons, James and John, net to His in his Kingdom. She was ambitious for them. When the other disciples heard about it, they resented it. They began to grumble about the greatest in God’s Kingdom.

Jesus set an example of greatness at the Passover meal for His disciples. He removed his outer garment and stooped to wash the disciples’ dusty feet. His lesson: We became great only in serving others.

Dorcas showed her greatness by doing good and helping the poor. Perhaps it was not always convenient but she served in love until the day she died.

We show our spiritual strength by losing ourselves in service to others. And Paul urges us not to grow weary in doing good to others.

Prayer: God, help me be willing to stoop below what I think is my place and give willing service.