Walking a fine line

I think we all try to balance life as best we can.  I know very few people who feel they aren’t busy.  At the same time, I believe an aspect of stewardship is being able to have enough margin even with our time that we are able to respond as needs opportunities arise.

I saw an email from our local shelter this week saying that they needed volunteers to go to the hospital to hold a baby.  Let me tell you, life has been BUSY at our house in the last few weeks.  Most of my friends could tell you our lives never slow down, but it has been exceptionally busy as of late.  Anyway, I don’t have time to go to the hospital and hold a baby, but I wanted so badly just to commit to the time and go do it.  So, I did.  My assigned time…Saturday evening.

The weekend came and part of me just wanted to relax and stay at home with my family.  But when 4:30 came around, I got in my car, left my husband with instructions on how to make spaghetti, and drove to the hospital.  I found the pediatric floor and then the baby’s room.  She was sleeping in the arms of another volunteer when I walked in, but it was time for me to take over.

The next 3 hours my focused changed.  Instead of thinking of everything on my to do list, I focused on this tiny baby.  For 3 hours I held this child, encouraged the staff, prayed for her, sang to her, and wondered what would come of her life.  I wondered if anyone else would ever sit with her and tell her that Jesus loves her and even more if anyone would demonstrate that to her…if enough people would demonstrate that to her so that one day she would believe it herself.

The Lord of the Universe created this child.  She is no less important than you or I.  If we are the body of Christ, why our His creation suffering?  Why do we not care for each other as brothers and sisters?  Why would this child ever have to be alone? 

I know giving and serving can be a fine line to walk.  We hear stories of people who give so much to others that they have little left for their own spouses or children.  While the Lord has given the blessing and responsibility for our family, this line of thought cannot be our excuse to ignore the pain around us. 

All she needed was to be held.  All I had to give was a little time.  The Lord was glorified.