A Double Blessing!

by Rev. William Yonker

I received a blessing awhile back. Only later did I understand that it really was a double blessing.

I was hurrying through a nursing home to see one of our shut-ins. Dressed in a suit with my pastor’s shirt and collar, I rushed down the hallway. My mind was elsewhere. I hardly noticed the aged faces and frail bodies as I passed.

Then a voice from behind cried out: "Sir! Oh Sir!" Somehow I knew the voice was meant for me, so I stopped and spun around. There, staring at me with aged hands on her hips, stood a smallish women in a faded robe and fluffy slippers. Her gaze was intent on my face, but not unkind. Can I help you? I asked. "Yes, you can," she answered. "You can look at me when you pass by." Ok, I said broadening my grin. Your right. What’s your name? "Anne," she replied. "I just wanted you to know I love you." with that, she kissed her fingertips and used them to pat my cheek.

It was later that I begin to understand the blessing of the incident. This was no crazy women speaking to me from a delusional state. Anne was a child of God who demanded to be noticed and wanted the dignity of acknowledgment. Her cry rang in my ears: "look at me when you pass by." Truly we are blessed when we are reminded to see worth in all other humans, and the second portion of her blessing. From a stranger not all that strange, I was told I was loved sealed with a kiss.

With the hustle and bustle of the season upon us, and as we race through the crowed stores, dodging past people, listen for the voice aimed at you that says, "look at me when you pass by." Hear the plea, "please see me this season."

Jesus say, " when you do it unto one of these you do it for me." Jesus bids us to see Him as we pass through this Christmas season. Listen to hear His double blessing to you. "Look at Me when you pass by,’ and he adds a wonderful benediction, " I want you to know I love you."

Christmas is a world changing event! Christmas was when the Son of God came into the world, born of a women, to call us His own by saving us from our sins. You can understand why He wants us to notice Him.