…clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:12b & 14

I knew the holiday season would prove difficult for my mother. She had moved into an assisted living facility in the midst of the COVID plague and could only receive visitors through a plexiglass wall. There would be no family Christmas gathering for her.

Thinking I would let her friends and family know her new address, I posted it on a popular social media site and asked them to send her a Christmas card. I could not believe who responded. While some of her friends did, more often than not, MY friends promised to do so, not hers. Some of them even offered to share my post so others could participate. 

People who did not even know my mother committed to brighten her tough days with a card and they overwhelmingly did. Her response was priceless. She never mentioned the Christmas cards our family or I sent her, but did tell me HER friends had sent her many cards.

What a blessing! My heart filled with warmth and gratitude. My friends truly clothed themselves with compassion, kindness, and love. I could say each one of them put Colossians 3:12 & 14 into action. 

If someone asks me about my favorite gift for this year, I will say with certainty their messages and generosity make the top of my list.

Sometimes I find myself stressing over how to help ease someone else’s struggles or trials when a simple act may be staring me right in the face. Following the commands from the Bible and my friends’ example, I just need to follow through with the action plan the Holy Spirit gives me. It’s that easy.

Father, thank you for friends who reach out and meet needs even when not asked directly to do so. Thank you for allowing me to experience the blessing overflow of their kindness. Clothe me with your compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love. Amen. 

Susan P.