Karen M. Jantzi, CPC, CMEC
QUALITY NO. 3 - CARING
Philippians 2:4 ESV
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Jenny was at a great place in her life. She and her husband, John, were enjoying a beautiful marriage that brought love and great satisfaction to them both. They had three healthy, beautiful kids, a beautiful home, two luxury cars and their contracting business was flourishing. Life was great!
Each week, Jenny went to a crisis pregnancy center to spend time sharing the cares of many moms not sure about whether they wanted to keep their babies or what they were going to do if they did. . She had made a promise to the Lord years ago when she was experiencing great struggles and pain that she would never forget the hurting hearts. So, each week she came to the New Life Pregnancy Center to invest her life and love into these women. Women she came to love as she spent time hearing their stories and then sharing God's love and wisdom with them.
When we give our lives to God, we no longer own them. He has bought them with His blood as He paid for OUR sins, not His own. He is our Creator and He becomes the Master of our lives when we ;make Him Lord of all. Part of serving Him is to care about the interests of others. Through caring enough to truly listen to someone else's cares, worries or celebrations we are honoring our Lord and obeying Phillilpinas 2:4.
Galatians 5:14 ESV
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
A family counselor once told me that he felt the truth worth of counseling was contained in the fact that it offered his clients a place to express their truest of feelings in a safe place with someone to hear them. This shows the great value of an exceptional listener. We can love our neighbor as ourselves when we offer this to another.
We want to be heard and so do others. One of the signs that someone will not be a good friend is that they are constantly speaking of themselves and their own cares and give you little opportunity to voice your own. If you encounter someone life this, it is not wise to make them a close friend or you will likely end up hurt and frustrated.
We lift up the Father when we care about others as we would like to be cared for. Being there to hear them is one way we can do that. As we bless others with a true and caring heart, we will be blessed ourselves.
John 21:15 ESV
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
Listening to someone is a gift that they cannot give themselves. It must come from someone else. My trusted friends offer me counsel and comfort when they allow me to bring my needs to them and pray with me. It is a gift with no price.
We show our love for our Lord by how we treat others too. When Jesus and Peter were discussing Peter's love for Him, Jesus told Peter if he truly loved Him, He would take care of His people......His flock. So, when you take time, focus in on your friend with a gracious heart and show them love and care, you are bringing honor and JOY to your heavenly Father! YOU ARE DOING HIS WILL!
Next session, we will be talking about how to be a RESPECTFUL listener!
Sending you my love and prayers always!
Treasuring You in Him,
Karen
Karen Jantzi, CPC/CMEC is the Founding President of Treasured Woman and the CEO of HAVEN Coaching and Consulting. She has a passion for helping women find a permanent sense of self-worth and value through living in the authority and love of Jesus Christ in their lives. She has been a business owner and executive for over 20 years and enjoys helping women bring life to their dreams of owning a business. As an author,, blogger and speaker, Karen shares her life changing story with women across the nation with the hope that they too will turn to Christ and live a life they treasure. Karen lives with her husband, is the mother of 5 and enjoys life on the Yough River not too far outside of Pittsburgh. You may contact her at 407-687-5988 or [email protected]