Advent - Week 1, Day 4: The Message of Hope

What2Say2Day? Yesterday was a day filled with opportunities to heal others with prayer and encouragement. So many, in fact, I don't know where to begin. maybe a quick summation would be enough; maybe. Angels are mentioned 52 times in the Gospels. I find it comforting to know that even in the first centuries of Christianity we believed in messengers from God. This fact is that's what yesterday was about. I know of 3 instances where I personally touched the lives of those around me and I know of 4 times when others touched my life. I have no idea how many times others touched me, or I others, through the simple act of stopping to say hi, or smiling, or just listening for a minute or two. When I decided to take on this journey of HOPE I had no idea it would become what it has. Matthew 18: 5 has Jesus saying, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." To put this in the context of the story in which its told Jesus is asked who will be going to heaven. His answer is you have to be like a child. It might help to remember that children in those days were thought to be useless; having no place in society until they grow up and can contribute to the community in a way that helps the village to survive. And yet Jesus says to welcome them, make them feel comfortable, and by doing that to them we also do it to him. Jesus makes many comparisons to treating others being similar to how we treat him. This, I am seeing, is what spreading hope is about. If we all treated each other with kindness, acceptance, charity, justice and unconditional love wouldn't this be a better world? Well, wouldn't it? Continue to spread HOPE - Heal Others with Prayer and Encouragement.