The Forgotten

 An older widow, shut-in because of her health problems, weeps for her loneliness.

A caregiver, exhausted from the 24-7 demand on her mind and body, cries out for relief.

A homeless person, desperate for a kind word, roams the streets.

How often are we, as a church, unaware of their needs? It's only when we take the time to reach out that we see a shadow of the pain that hangs over so many of the people in our society. I was recently privileged to read the book Born Broken by Kristin Berry — a story of an adoptive mom's struggle as she raised six children, two of which had severe mental disorders. The author's recounting of her vulnerability touched my heart, as she talked about how she often felt passed over, unloved, ignored by the people in her congregation, because she could do nothing to serve them. As a member of a previously-caregiver family, I have experienced the same darkness. I don't believe, though, that it's from any cruelty or lack of caring; simply from not knowing what to do.

Today, I want to change that, showing how we can bless those of our brothers and sisters who have been Forgotten by the world, summed up in three ways:

1. Ask.

2. Serve.

3. Pray.

Ask.

"We can sometimes see more through a tear than a telescope." - Anonymous

When we see or hear about someone who is suffering, our first response may be to shy away. We dislike coming in contact with pain. Ida Scudder, a missionary to India, once said that the reason that she had not wanted to serve was not that she did not care enough; it was that she cared too much. But in Christ, we have the power to avoid that urge. We can reach out to the Forgotten. Just a simple question of "How are you?" or "Is there anything I can do?" can make so much difference.

Serve.

"God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters." - John Henry Jowett

There is a dear woman in our church with advanced multiple sclerosis (MS). She loves the Lord and constantly keeps her church family in prayer. However, since her primary caregiver is having surgery, she asked for help doing simple things around the house. To make a difference, you don't have to be able to take all the pain away. You don't have to give hours upon hours or thousands of dollars. Sometimes, doing a simple household chore, making a card, or bringing a meal is all that needs to be done to make a difference.

Pray.

"There is a place where thou canst say, "Arise"/ To dying captives, bound in chains of night... /O soul, it is the secret place of prayer!" — Alfred Lord Tennyson

However, there are times when human assistance, no matter how large or small, can be of no use. Suffering is too great, the situation is unreachable... but we often forget that we have the best tool of all. Our prayers, when offered on the altar of our lives, go directly to our Father. Think of that. He is never too busy for you, nor the ones whom you care most about. Though His answer may not be what you initially desired, it will be 

In conclusion, showing concern, demonstrating service, and intercession in prayer are some of the most crucial jobs of a Christian. Those who are forgotten need feel hopeless no longer when the Body of Christ rallies around them. It is for us to be the hands and feet of that Body.