Help In Hard Times

Read on December 7

Story provided by Sarah

“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” —Luke 6:38

In November of 1998, Sarah’s husband grew very ill, resulting in a Christmas spent in the hospital.

The surgery went well. The doctor told them they should be able to go home in just a few days. As they watched a holiday program on Christmas Eve, Sarah’s husband began to talk incoherently and kept trying to get out of the bed. Sarah quickly rang for the nurse, and it was decided that he needed to go back to the ICU. 

They lifted him to the carrier. Sarah kissed him and said, “I love you.” 

He responded, “I love you too.” 

The chaplain awakened Sarah at six a.m. on Christmas morning and told her that her husband had died peacefully during the night. 

She called her children on Christmas morning to tell them that their daddy had died. The only thought that brought them peace was the knowledge that he was in heaven, spending Christmas with his Savior.

But Sarah didn’t want to tell her story, to share the sadness of that Christmas Day. The reason that Christmas 1998 is her most important is because of what happened after leaving the hospital. 

Soon after Sarah had finished packing and making arrangements that fateful Christmas morning, she looked up to see her close friends who had rushed to Houston on Christmas Day. When Sarah later arrived home, she saw several cars parked on the street.

Good friends had come to her house with food. They then commenced cleaning the house. Christmas 1998 will always be a difficult memory because that was the day Sarah lost her husband. But that Christmas is a significant memory because it is also a reminder of the value of Christian friendship. 

Because of their sacrificial love, Christmas is still a day to celebrate the love and joy of Christ and the provision of Christmas. 

Sarah’s story is a wonderful reminder to each of us. 

We all know someone who needs friendship this holiday season, and they shouldn’t have to ask for it. 

What can we simply do or give that will build them up, provide them comfort, or bless their life? 

Whom is God calling us to befriend this Christmas? 

Let’s ask God because, chances are, those friends won’t ask us for what they need.