Show Up!

May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ!

 - From Galatians 6

We have a crisis in our times, of failing to show up to things. 

Oh . . . people will show up to work. They have no problem enjoying their own preferred leisure on weekends. If they can get on camera, they're there! And if some event has anything to do with "being on the right side of history," by gosh they'll make a point to be there!

I'm talking about taking care of the urgent, important things that are right there before us. Show up. That's really all you need to do. 

I've been overnight in a hospital, twice in my life. I really didn't for people to come visit, if they were going to sit there an talk. 

But if they showed up, and just sat for a while, quietly. I really appreciated that. 

In the home of my mother, since the death of my Dad, there's nothing like the sight of company. Just let one of those living room chairs be occupied by somebody, and that's really special.

You don't need to bring money, or food, or gifts. You don't need to talk. Just be there. Being there is everything.

We don't show up like we should. The Old Testament puts something on an even higher plane than being hospitable to sojourners and aliens: and it is, to care for widows and orphans. 

And really all it takes, is go visit the widow (or widower). And then go to the home of the orphan, or give the orphan a home. In our times, it means, go to the games of that niece of nephew whose father died. Go visit the single mom (or Dad) in their home. Just be there.

When you're present, it will become obvious what you need to do next. 

You no longer need wonder what you must do tonight. Visit a widow, especially the ones in your family. Go look in on your single niece or nephew, with children. 

Show up.