How Do We Love One Another
Margaret Broersma
The scripture says, “Love one another the way I have loved you.” We hear this and remember how Christ loved us so much He made the ultimate sacrifice with His life, but I’ve seen that He keeps on loving us even now, all these thousands of years after the cross. He loves us through His presence, and He loves us through the body of Christ. My experience over the last six months has been a time when love was poured out upon us, first by God himself, then by the body of believers at Hillside, and even the extended body of Christ, over and over again.
Last January, I began the year by having knee surgery. It was a blessing for us to receive a couple of Samaritan meals. In the first couple of weeks after the knee replacement, my designated helper (husband, Roger :) ) had a lot to do to help me, so the meals were especially appreciated at that time. At the same time as taking care of me, his parents were in an assisted living home, both of whom were failing.
Then, three weeks after my knee surgery, I began to throw up a lot of blood, and a call to 911 brought the ambulance quickly. The first responder tried to put in a line for fluids, but my blood pressure was so low, she couldn’t do it, and the a-fib was so bad, she couldn’t take my pulse. Too tired to heave anymore, I turned my head and calmly watched my blood trickle into the dishpan. I whispered, “If I live, I live for the Lord. If I die, I die in the Lord, so whether I live or die, I am the Lord’s.” The EMT called to me, “What did you say?” I told her I was paraphrasing the apostle Paul and repeated what I had said. Then, a little frantically, she told me not to talk anymore. She may have been scared, but I was supernaturally filled with peace; I was not afraid. God had come into the ambulance and poured out His grace upon me.
I learned the next day that I had a duodenal ulcer, and it had hemorrhaged. After four days, several blood transfusions, and a fix-it scope surgery, I returned home, both of us exhausted and strained. I resumed physical therapy for my knee, and Rog resumed seeing his parents. This was the time we needed prayers and meals - and low and behold - they came! Some of our help came from the body of Christ within our own family, as our children rallied, and each of them brought food for several meals. And within the body of Christ in our neighborhood, we also received blessings and food. There were texts, phone calls, and even Facebook messages from Hillside and other Christians. With all of this blessing and grace - I got well.
A few weeks later, Roger’s father, Marvin Broersma, died. He was nearly 95 years old. Thankfully, I had recovered enough to go to the funeral. Now, it was time for a different body of Christ to be our succor. Byron Center Bible Church and Stroo Funeral Home handled things in such a way that, at last, Rog and his brothers had a break from the burden of carrying on and had time to grieve and comfort each other in the way that only seven brothers can do. The funeral lunch was a magnificent feast. Side note: While at the funeral home making arrangements for his dad, a first responder recognized Roger and asked him if I had survived! Apparently, he was pretty sure I wasn’t going to. Praise be to God - I did!
Recovered from both my knee surgery and blood loss and done with PT, we threw ourselves into the rigors of moving - away from our home of nearly 40 years and into a condo at Breton Woods. One month after moving in, I had my second knee surgery. Just a couple of days before the operation, my mother-in-law died. A kind friend from Hillside sat with me the day of the funeral, helping me, while Rog went to his mother’s funeral. This dear Hillside friend also brought food for that day, as well as leaving food for two more days. Having food that was ready to eat was exactly what we needed. We were physically and mentally exhausted. Our children rallied once again and took turns visiting or bringing a meal. And three more Christian friends brought food. When friends bring a meal, it helps lift our spirits! Bringing meals, praying together (James 5:14 and 3 John 1:2), and sending cards seem to be the main ways that we think of to support the sick among us. We were well supported by the family of God.
And then our final blow: Our dear sister-in-law died. While none of the three deaths in the last six months were unexpected, the loss was terrible - she was too young. Was Hillside suffering from card/meal exhaustion by this time? People were still very, very supportive; our sorrow and health crises were treated caringly, just like the early church, who also ministered to one another with food, visits, and prayer (Matthew 25:35-37). Food, it seems, is for the spirit as well as the body. When a visitor brings food, it’s a wonderful lift, a blessing. But when a friend doesn’t just pray for you but prays with you, there is a blessing for you both.
The early church didn’t have cards. But they often sent messages via another person (1 Corinthians 16:19 and Philippians 4:22). We received sympathy cards and get-well cards three times around for each type - that’s a lot of beautiful, thoughtful cards! I taped my get-well cards and some sympathy cards to my closet door so I could lie in bed and see them. Our sympathy cards festooned the kitchen. This is what I thought: Each card represents a prayer for me/us - perhaps more than one prayer. When we first think of sending a card, we are usually busy, so we offer a quick prayer. Then we think about it again, another prayer, and finally, we are in front of the card and prayerful again. We can usually look at the person‘s picture in the directory and think about them and what they need from us - another prayer. We may only sign our name, or we may include a Bible verse or a personal message. But however, the card came to me, I decided every card represents more than one prayer. I love cards and all the prayers behind them! Rather than asking, “Why should I give cards? They’ll just end up in the wastebasket?” think instead of how many times the sick or sad among us look at that card and every time is a connection with the giver, and a realization that we have been prayed for. Yes, cards are good!
So feed the poor and hungry - do. But feed one another in difficult times too, and send cards, and most of all pray with and for a person in need - in these ways, and many more, we are Christ to those among us.
“For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited me in. I needed clothes, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you looked after me; I was in prison and you came to visit me…the King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers of mine, you did for me.”
- Matthew 25:35-36, 40