Unselfish Caring

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee? And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me. Matthew 25: 35-40

The Browns are researchers who studied cliff swallows for many years at the University of Nebraska Biological Station at Ogallalla. Although cliff swallows are named from their traditional nesting sites on cliffs, here in Nebraska they prefer nesting sites close to water under bridges. Nesting groups can number in the thousands of birds and nests at one site. The Browns learned that an important part of these birds survival was finding food. When a swallow goes out and finds a large group of flying insects, instead of just chowing down by itself, it returns to the nesting sites and shares this information so that the other swallows can find that place and nourish themselves. The larger the number of swallows looking for feeding sites, the better the chances of the whole group staying nourished. They display such unselfish behavior for the good of the whole community.

The Browns speculated that humans display similar behavior. In cities large and small, humans have compassion for others through selfless giving through food banks, missions, health, and emergency centers, etc. My grandsons church with other churches in his rural Iowa community have adopted 5 Ukrainian families and have provided them with food, shelter, clothing, medical needs, transportation, and the support they need to begin their lives in a new country. They are prepared to do this for at least 6 months per family--the amount of time it takes to get work visas and the necessary resources to start supporting themselves. This has been very challenging, but rewarding as well. Their churches are unified in this mission and despite challenging financial times, they have given freely to help others.

I think about all the ways Eastridge cares about others, not just the members of our church. We support the Food Bank, Peoples City Mission, Friendship House, The Crop Walk, the AA group that meets in the church, Habitat for Humanities, The Gathering Place, etc., plus national and international missions through the Presbyterian Church and other world services. As individuals in our community, we also support charities outside of the church including environmental and nature groups, the Humane Societies, the Red Cross, the Heifer Project to name just a few. Like the cliff swallows, we cannot just look out for ourselves, we need to care for the good of the whole community.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for teaching us to care for the needs of others. Thank you for teaching us to be unselfish like the cliff swallows. Thank you for your son Jesus who ministered to the whole community, Jews and gentiles, rich and poor, the ill and those who were suffering. Help us to love one another as you have loved us. Amen

Nancy Hall