Blessed are the peacemakers, for they should be called Sons of God. -Matthew 5:9
Have you ever been captivated by someone’s worst moment?
My kids like to watch “fails” videos on Youtube. They’re on the numerous TVs while we’re at sports restaurants and the boys are captivated by them. Leave them to their own devices on Youtube and they’ll likely find a video. They laugh at someone’s bad moment. Someone falling off a trampoline, driving their bicycle into a fence, dropping a stone on their toes. As children, for some reason, they find this stuff hilarious.
These types of “fails” don’t just catch our attention as children. As adults, the failings of people around us will catch and hold our attention for far too long.
Celebrity affairs, drug overdoses, political scandals…
So-and-so is separating from her husband, she lost custody of her children, their daughter got pregnant, etc., etc.
When someone else is having a bad day, we have a heyday. When there’s an argument, we grab a seat and some popcorn.
What if we could use our Sabbath to bring peace to someone else. We yearn for a peaceful Sabbath ourselves, so why not bring peace to someone else this Sabbath? Do you dare?
5 Ways to Be a Blessing to Someone Else This Sabbath
- Offer someone forgiveness this Sabbath.
If you are struggling to forgive someone in your life, this is a great way to bless someone else and also give yourself the gift of freedom as well. Spend the week praying for the person you’re struggling to forgive. Ask God to soften your heart toward him or her. As Sabbath begins, ask God to help you forgive him or her. You don’t even have to tell them they are forgiven, but telling them will also be a blessing! - Thank someone verbally.
Maybe it’s your spouse for making your coffee or your kids for setting the table. Maybe it’s your praise leader or your pastor that needs a thank-you. Take a moment to tell someone how you appreciate them, something they do, their contribution to your Sabbath. Have you thanked your kids’ Sabbath School teacher lately? - Visit someone in person or via video
We are still in the midst of a pandemic, but you can still visit people online or in-person (if you wear a mask). Who needs a visit? Everyone! Call your mama on video mode. Invite the church youth on a Zoom call and have a quick scavenger hunt or pet show and tell. Make a video for social media and post it on their timeline. - Pray for someone.
Before you leave the church, tap someone on the shoulder and ask if they need prayers. Tell them you’re staying behind for 10 minutes to pray. Invite them to join you. Ask your pastor if you can pray for him or her. Pray for the children in your church. Ask someone to pray for you too. - Give something away.
Give something away that means something. Give money to a family you know that is struggling to make ends meet. Make a meal for someone who you know is hungry. Bring treats to the police station for the officers and dispatchers. Bring some new footwear for the little boy whose sole has detached from his shoe. The sky is the limit.
