This is something I thought of…
C - Concern
A - Affirm
R - Respect
E – Encourage
Looking up the dictionary… I found many definitions for CARE
–noun
1. a state of mind in which one is troubled; worry, anxiety, or concern: He was never free from care.
2. a cause or object of worry, anxiety, concern, etc.: Their son has always been a great care to them.
3. serious attention; solicitude; heed; caution: She devotes great care to her work.
4. protection; charge: He is under the care of a doctor.
5. temporary keeping, as for the benefit of or until claimed by the owner: He left his valuables in the care of friends. Address my mail in care of the American Embassy.
6. grief; suffering; sorrow.
–verb (used without object)
7. to be concerned or solicitous; have thought or regard.
8. to be concerned or have a special preference (usually used in negative constructions): I don't care if I do.
9. to make provision or look out (usually fol. by for): Will you care for the children while I am away?
10. to have an inclination, liking, fondness, or affection (usually fol. by for): Would you care for dessert? I don't care for him very much.
–verb (used with object)
11. to feel concern about: He doesn't care what others say.
12. to wish; desire; like: Would you care to dance?
Choose whichever definitions you like.. But, what is your own definition of the word CARE?
I ask this because I realize… sometimes when we show care and concern to others, do we actually do it out of genuine love for that person? Or did we do it out of responsibility?
When we ask a person, “How are you?”, “How is your day?”, “How have you been?”, “How’s work?” and the list can go on and on…
But.. how prepared are we to receive a reply such as, “Not good”, “I need help”, “Don’t think so”, “I wanna give up”…
Are we ready to give our genuine care and concern when we get the above replies? I ask myself this question.
I’m really challenged when our Pastor mentioned this…we change to being a CAREcell rather than a HOMEcell…
How can we help our people in the cell group, how can we CARE for them? By just asking them the above questions I’ve mentioned?
No! It’s not enough… we need to invest time, effort, or even money… sacrificing of our own personal pleasures… to care for a person.
A person can FEEL whether the CARE is genuine.
I can feel it too!
Why do we sometimes share our deepest thoughts and feelings to certain people but not to others?
Have you noticed yourself asking someone “How are you?” and their reply was “I’m ok”, but you knew that person is NOT ok?
Then, maybe it’s time to ask yourself… “Have I shown care & concern out of GENUINE LOVE for that person?”
God’s love for you and me…
Romans 5:8
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
John 15:12-15
12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
My answer was “I’m ok” to some, when they asked me “How are you?”
Time for some self evaluation. =)
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