“‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
I have made so many wonderful new friends through Kara, many since her Homecoming. Everyone has a beautiful story, and I wish I could respond to all of the emails and letters that come my way; it’s a blessing to read about your journeys and how Kara impacted you! Kara loved big and attracted others who loved big.
One of my new friends is Cindy. Cindy knows how to love big. Actually, if you’ve been following Mundane Faithfulness for any amount of time, you are already familiar with Cindy or at least her blanket—she sent Kara’s gray and white Big Love blanket, which was one of her favorite comfort items. It seemed to be with her all the time, even going with her to the hospital the few times she was admitted. It’s been captured in many photos.
That blanket represents several things: warmth, care, prayer, comfort. But it also has a story of its own: Cindy has a heart for cancer patients and a vision to provide them with chemo care bags. These sweet bags from Initials, Inc., will be filled with things a chemo patient needs—chapstick, hard candies, lotion, gum, and hand sanitizer, plus a quote from Kara to remind them that they are not alone in their struggles. The recipients of these bags will surely feel loved knowing that someone went to the trouble to assemble these gifts and pray for them while doing so.
I am crazy about this idea. I am always looking for ways to love big and love close! Cindy has done just that—she has found people close to her heart to reach out to and embrace. She is using her gifts and interests to love others she is passionate about. She is moving toward hurting people one small step at a time. She is the feet of Jesus. (If you are interested in partnering with Cindy in her ministry, please go to her gofundme site to donate.)
It makes me wonder—what can I do to love big and love close? Who is someone in my vicinity who needs some extra love today? What can I do to reach out to someone nearby in love? How can I love others simply—using my gifts and passions? How can I engage others and serve a need for one of my neighbors? What about you? What are your big love ideas?!
