Refreshing Others

Maybe the Thanksgiving holiday can’t come quick enough for you. Perhaps, you, like me, have been in a busy season, and looking forward to a break. A pause. A chance to slow down and experience refreshment, whatever that looks like to you. If your soul is a bit parched like mine, your temptation may be to simply take care of yourself. What if, instead, you looked for ways to bless and refresh others?

Thanksgiving literally calls us to get outside our self and be a thankful people for the many gifts God has blessed us with. One of those gifts is the gift of people in our lives. Family. Friends. Work associates. Those that serve us-from the Startbucks' barista to the attendant at the dry cleaners.

Sometimes, I can get so busy with my schedule and to-do list that I fail to think about those friends and family who are precious to me.  How can you and I bring refreshment to those around our table this Thanksgiving? How can we get outside ourselves and focus more on others than self? Instead of being served, can we look for ways to serve, even when the football game is calling? Who can you serve that can’t serve you back?

I know that Christ is the refresher of all refreshers. As we receive from Jesus, we can freely give to others. Who was better at refreshing others than Jesus? Jesus breathed life into weary souls. Jesus brought encouragement and kindness to those in His midst.  And He told us to as well. Jesus told His followers, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.” (Luke 6:38)

So, why focus on refreshing others? We give because God’s love compels us to. We give, because we can. We give, because He first gave to us. Jesus demonstrates to us how to bless and refresh others. He was really good at doing this, right?

So, why not ask God to help you bless and refresh those in your midst? Ask for help to notice, really notice people. Ask Him for help in seeing ways to serve and bless others. Stop thinking about yourself and focus on others.  And consider the beautiful outcome… You will be blessed by blessing others.  Such a reminder that this kind of living is something God smiles at.

“Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.