Latest / WholeHeart Conversations / Choose To Notice And Meet A Need This Season
Transcript
- 0:00Constance lavonice: It's the holiday season here in the United States, and it's typically a happy and celebratory time.
- 0:08Constance lavonice: We're gathering with family and friends, connecting with each other, but it's also a time of sadness and loneliness for a lot of people.
- 0:19Constance lavonice: I want to encourage you to look around and pay attention to the network of people that you come in contact with on a daily or weekly basis.
- 0:32Constance lavonice: And if you see a need, meet a need.
- 0:36Constance lavonice: You're listening to Wholeheart Conversations, a podcast especially for women to receive biblical encouragement that fosters resilience through the practical application of God's Word.
- 0:52Constance lavonice: I'm your host, Constance Lavonice.
- 0:56Constance lavonice: There are many people going through a hard time right now.
- 1:01Constance lavonice: Some have lost jobs.
- 1:03Constance lavonice: Others have experienced the death of loved ones.
- 1:09Constance lavonice: Some are single or widowed.
- 1:12Constance lavonice: There are many who don't have anyone to spend the holidays with.
- 1:18Constance lavonice: And then there are those who have dysfunctional family dynamics.
- 1:25Constance lavonice: The holidays are not a happy time for everyone.
- 1:30Constance lavonice: In fact, it's one of the most busiest times for me as a mental health counselor.
- 1:37Constance lavonice: This is the time of year when I see people who are depressed, who are grieving, who are having emotional triggers because of the loss of loved ones or family, or who are just feeling lonely.
- 1:56Constance lavonice: How do we meet a need?
- 2:00Constance lavonice: Just pay attention to the people around you.
- 2:05Constance lavonice: Are they single?
- 2:06Constance lavonice: If so, and if you're able, invite them over.
- 2:12Constance lavonice: Do they live away from home, away from their family?
- 2:17Constance lavonice: If you're able, invite them over.
- 2:20Constance lavonice: If someone has experienced a death in their family, give them a word of encouragement.
- 2:30Constance lavonice: Or send them a card.
- 2:32Constance lavonice: Do you know someone who's lost a job or who's struggling financially?
- 2:40Constance lavonice: Do the same.
- 2:41Constance lavonice: Invite them over or give them a gift card.
- 2:47Constance lavonice: Ask God to show you how to respond to those in need.
- 2:53Constance lavonice: Jesus said in John chapter 13, verse 34, a new command I give you.
- 3:03Constance lavonice: Love one another as I have loved you, so you must love one another.
- 3:13Constance lavonice: I remember when I was single, and I was single for a while before I got married.
- 3:20Constance lavonice: One of my friends invited me over to her home with her family who lived two hours away for Thanksgiving.
- 3:29Constance lavonice: And I was so happy to have someone invite me to spend time with their family.
- 3:37Constance lavonice: And I had a lovely time with her family.
- 3:41Constance lavonice: And to this day, I'm thankful for that.
- 3:45Constance lavonice: And I appreciate her for that.
- 3:49Constance lavonice: And so this holiday season, I want to encourage you to do the same.
- 3:57Constance lavonice: Let's practice demonstrating acts of kindness and love this holiday season by identifying a need of someone in your reach of influence and meeting it.
- 4:11Constance lavonice: And thank you for joining me today.
- 4:14Constance lavonice: If you've heard anything helpful, please subscribe and share, and text the show and let us know what's on your heart.