Do Not Delay
#182 Do Not Delay
I saw Brother Al on Saturday, and sat by him in the Veteran's Home while he was laboring to eat his dinner. He told me he had no energy and no appetite, and he just didn't feel right.
He was very discouraged because he missed being home, and he was pretty sure he never would return there.
He was very interested in how the brethren in the class were doing, and very intent on sending his love and asking for prayer on his behalf.
He expressed concern about his wife, Sister Marie.
I was very impressed with his spirit of appreciation.
I was very grateful for our visit and looking forward to the next.
The next thing I heard was that he was in the hospital with severe pneumonia, and that he would be in Hospice care at home.
Sister Marie said that when he heard he was going home, he tried to smile, he was genuinely happy that he would be at home again.
But the Lord had other Plans...
I just had no idea that he was in such a serious condition.
The timing of Brother Al's passing is such a strong reminder to say what we need to say and do what we need to do for one another in the moment as we are able.
There may not be another moment!
Dear readers, let us each remember that while it is impossible for us to do as Mary did in this lesson, it is the privilege of each to do still more important things for each other, for the brethren of Christ now in the world, the feet members of his body. Hers was a literal perfume and in time lost its virtue; but the little acts of kindnesses and helpfulness which we may render one to another will never lose their merit in the estimation of our Lord, and never lose their fragrance to all eternity in the estimation of each other. The little things of life, the little words, the little tokens, the kind looks, the little assistances by the way, these and not great things are our possibilities, our perfumes, the one for the other.
If Mary had waited another week she might have used the perfume upon herself but not upon the Lord…Wisdom tell us that we should not delay in bringing our alabaster boxes of ointment and pouring their contents upon our dear ones of the body of Christ, the feet of Christ…
R3534 Perfume Very Precious
"My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises!
Awake, my glory; awake, harp and lyre,
I will awaken the dawn!
I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to Thee among the nations." Psalm 57:7-9
I pray to "awaken the day"--to be eager to meet the new day and eager to meet its opportunities in fellowship with Christ...an eagerness inspired by His passion to bless and the heights and beauties of His refreshing Truth:
"For thy lovingkindness is great to the heavens,
And Thy truth to the clouds." Psalm 57:10
"Do not delay, the golden moments fly!" Longfellow
I saw Brother Al on Saturday, and sat by him in the Veteran's Home while he was laboring to eat his dinner. He told me he had no energy and no appetite, and he just didn't feel right.
He was very discouraged because he missed being home, and he was pretty sure he never would return there.
He was very interested in how the brethren in the class were doing, and very intent on sending his love and asking for prayer on his behalf.
He expressed concern about his wife, Sister Marie.
I was very impressed with his spirit of appreciation.
I was very grateful for our visit and looking forward to the next.
The next thing I heard was that he was in the hospital with severe pneumonia, and that he would be in Hospice care at home.
Sister Marie said that when he heard he was going home, he tried to smile, he was genuinely happy that he would be at home again.
But the Lord had other Plans...
I just had no idea that he was in such a serious condition.
The timing of Brother Al's passing is such a strong reminder to say what we need to say and do what we need to do for one another in the moment as we are able.
There may not be another moment!
Dear readers, let us each remember that while it is impossible for us to do as Mary did in this lesson, it is the privilege of each to do still more important things for each other, for the brethren of Christ now in the world, the feet members of his body. Hers was a literal perfume and in time lost its virtue; but the little acts of kindnesses and helpfulness which we may render one to another will never lose their merit in the estimation of our Lord, and never lose their fragrance to all eternity in the estimation of each other. The little things of life, the little words, the little tokens, the kind looks, the little assistances by the way, these and not great things are our possibilities, our perfumes, the one for the other.
If Mary had waited another week she might have used the perfume upon herself but not upon the Lord…Wisdom tell us that we should not delay in bringing our alabaster boxes of ointment and pouring their contents upon our dear ones of the body of Christ, the feet of Christ…
R3534 Perfume Very Precious
"My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises!
Awake, my glory; awake, harp and lyre,
I will awaken the dawn!
I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to Thee among the nations." Psalm 57:7-9
I pray to "awaken the day"--to be eager to meet the new day and eager to meet its opportunities in fellowship with Christ...an eagerness inspired by His passion to bless and the heights and beauties of His refreshing Truth:
"For thy lovingkindness is great to the heavens,
And Thy truth to the clouds." Psalm 57:10
"Do not delay, the golden moments fly!" Longfellow
