She Got Up and Served

 After leaving the synagogue he entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him about her. Then he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them.

 As the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various kinds of diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on each of them and cured them. Demons also came out of many, shouting, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Messiah.

 At daybreak he departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowds were looking for him; and when they reached him, they wanted to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, ‘I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.’ So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea. Luke 4:38-44

I can see my mother's hands still, strong and agile, as she cooked a meal for all of us. She reigned in the kitchen, loved to feed people, and enjoyed eating as well. Her favorite phrase was, "how come my cooking tastes so good to me?" She would laugh her infectious laugh, knowing she had made a delicious dish. She loved to sit and visit with people and always made sure they had something to eat and drink. As a pastor's wife, she cooked meals for hundreds of people and I still have those recipes for the throngs. Until her late 80's, she fed 40-60 poor children every week. She found real joy in her service.

Jesus is taken to a family home and healed the woman of the house. Her health restored, she leapt up to feed and care for the visitors. It was her kitchen, her home and in her gratitude for being restored, she wanted to feed and care for them. It was her joy, to serve them, buzz around her kitchen, making her guests comfortable and fed. We are called, in our gratitude for the love we have received, to serve those around us. We will find joy restored as we make others comfortable and well fed.

Today, I ask God to help me find joy in service. May we make room at the table for those who come our way, grateful for the love we have received and now can share with joy.