She Got Up

After leaving the synagogue Jesus 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  

My Cherokee mother loved to cook and feed people. Until her late eighties she served a meal once a week to needy children. She got up every morning to serve. Her faith was alive in the way she gave herself away and cared for others. Her laughter and joy still ring through my mind, when, despite her physical challenges, she would do all she could for others, bringing joy along the way. Her prayers for herself were for healing, so that she could do more for others.

Jesus came to Simon's house and cured his mother-in-law. Her response was to get up and feed her guests. The gift of healing brought her to her feet and her joy was to care for others. Her healing reminds us all that when we have been blessed with great gifts and great healing, we are invited to get up and share those blessings with others.

Today, I ask God to give me an extra measure of strength so that I can get up and serve others. May we all be strengthened for service, so that God's love can be made real in our time.