Open-Armed

In case you haven't noticed, I've been jumping around a little bit in Proverbs 31. It's not that the verses I have skipped aren't important. I am going to clump a few of them together and write several posts about working outside the home. That's a major topic- and one of utmost importance. So as I carefully work on those ones, I'm sharing the more straightforward verses here. Today's verse is very, very straightforward:

Proverbs 31:20

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

The wife of noble character is not just concerned for the needs of her household- but for the needs of people around her as well. Notice how she doesn't just toss some money out her window. She "opens her arms" and "extends her hands" to the poor and needy. She welcomes them... she loves them.

What poor and needy people do you come in contact with everyday? Where we live, it's not uncommon to see needy people every day, every where we go. I have to admit that as a woman, I'm nervous and often not open-armed towards people that approach me for money while I'm trying to load Caleb and a bunch of groceries into the car. I often ponder what Christ would have me do in those situations-- and I don't have the answer yet.

But I DO know that we are to care for the poor and needy and that we should teach our children to do the same.

So what are some practical ways that we can have open arms? If you have children in school, you can be on the look out for families in need. Perhaps there's a student who doesn't have a backpack or one that seems hungry often. Talk to your child's teacher about ways you can help. Take your older children to volunteer at the local food bank or soup kitchen.

Trinity offers the Mobile Pantry through St. Mary's Food Bank the 1st Saturday of each month. You could volunteer there or bring a neighbor along who could use the extra help.

While the words "poor" and "needy" most likely deal directly with material needs, don't stop there. All of us know people who are poor and needy in terms of love, acceptance and an understanding of the gospel.

Let's be aware of people around us in need and pray that the Lord would give us wisdom and resources to meet those needs.