Caring

What does it mean to care about others? I've been pondering that question these last few months, maybe even longer. As the body of Christ, we need to outwardly show that we care about others. I spent eight years keeping the church nursery, so I was never in Sunday School or worship. During those eight years, it was like I had dropped off the face of the earth to not only my Sunday School class, but also my church family. During those eight years, I experienced some deaths in the family and some serious illnesses of family members. Not a word did I hear out of anyone inquiring about how our family members were doing or how we were doing. (Incidently, I had a pretty rough bout with depression after my cousin's unexpected death.)

Now, I want to be honest here; I never inquired about anyone's families and how they were either. The fault certainly lies on both sides. But the flip side to that is communication. How could I ask how someone's mom, dad, brother, sister, etc. was doing if I did not know anything was wrong to ask?

When I voiced my opinion to my friend she disagreed saying that she did not want to be in anyone's business and felt like we did care about each other. I vehemently and respectfully disagree. It is not "being in your business" to ask after anyone's health or say that I missed you in church last Sunday. It is not "being in your business" to say "Hey, I'm glad you're here," or "Did you have a good trip last week?" It is not "being in your business" to say, "I'm glad that you're here today," or "I hope you're feeling better."

I feel so strongly about this issue that I left my last Sunday School class over it (the one that had not asked how we were in eight years). I started attending another Sunday School class when I quit the nursery, just knowing that things would be different. Were they? No! I've missed a number of Sundays, for various reasons, and no one has bothered to ask me anything; no one has inquired after the health of my mother-in-law; no one has even acknowledged that I have joined the class. OK, I know I sound like a petty, whining child, and I don't mean to. I will reiterate once again that I am certainly at fault also.

But here is the difference. I have recently started taking steps to correct my wrongdoing in the lack of caring that I outwardly show. I visited a sick friend, gave "happies" to a couple of kids, sent cards to some grieving families, and wrote a note to a friend who did us a favor. I know that it's not much, but it's a start! I am making a concerted effort to go out of my comfort zone and ask people how they are, let people know that I appreciate them, and ask them if I can do anything for them. It's a beginning for me, and I need to held accountable; I need someone to make sure that I am sticking to my resolution to be a more outwardly caring person. Who is going to hold me accountable? Well, certainly not this new Sunday School class! I guess that I will report to my husband, and I know that he will have good suggestions for me.

Caring about others is not being in their business. It's about being in the business of being the body of Christ.