Does someone like this come to your mind a lot?
Maybe it's time for a visit.
Sure, you're busy. You're really busy, but it doesn't have to take a long time and a visit could bless you more than them.
This winter is hard on everyone. It's isolating a lot of people.
Sometimes isolation is a needed respite from the world, but as it goes on and on it can have disastrous effects on people without them even realizing it.
It narrows our vision of life.
It causes problems and negative feelings to appear and feel bigger than they are.
It messes with people's minds, gets their perspectives on life really screwed up.
Even if people are introverts they need people. We weren't created to live in isolation. We were created to share our talents with others which blesses us and them and also helps us feel we have purpose in this life.
Jesus says in John 15:12, "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you."
Years ago when we lived in our former home I had a friend named Sue (she has since gone to heaven). About once a week or so she'd come visit. We'd sit at the table, drink coffee and talk about Jesus and laugh and whatnot. She probably thought it was no big deal to visit or that she was getting encouraged when she visited me, but her visits meant the world to me. I can't even say I thought after a visit, but they worked on me.
Since I'm a full-time caregiver for my son, we are very much stay-at-home people. It gets really hard going anywhere with him and his wheelchair. He's 17 now and taller than me. He doesn't weigh more than me but transporting him and moving him is pretty much kept to a minimum for many reasons. We have a lovely life and I wouldn't give it up, but it can be isolating (especially this winter). It will get better as the weather warms and the snow melts for then he and I can sit outside and take walks and manuver the chair.
A phone call from a dear friend or a short visit or a letter encourage me greatly. They are just little things probably to the people who do the calling/visiting/sending, but to me that little touch can lift my spirit big-time.
My situation is temporary. When spring arrives this will end for me, but there are people who live this way for years, even decades. Those are the ones I want you to think about. Is there someone you can visit? Is there someone you might give a call to or write a letter? Taking that time out of your life is often inconvenient. That time might cost you financially or some other way. But you could be an answer to an unspoken prayer. You will be doing God's work. How can you or I put a price on doing the work of the Great Creator, our Heavenly Father, our Redeemer?
There are many instances where I've been part of this process -- either on the giving or the receiving end. Another example comes to mind. For the one who was the giver she probably didn't know how important that visit was but it still touches me (and it has been almost 4 years ago now). It was probably three months after my daughter died. I was sitting outside (being outside always encourages me) and one of those waves of grief was drenching me within. I could hardly breathe. I didn't know how to get up for air. All I could pray was, "Help me, Jesus."
Then a friend drove up. I got into the car with her and we just talked. I don't remember what we talked about, but I do know my soul was lifted. My friend hadn't lost a child but she had lost a beloved husband. She had experienced those waves of grief.
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
She did God's work that day. She reached out to one of His kids.
Maybe you could do God's work today. It's a high calling. Call, visit, write a letter. They all appear to be small things, but they are mighty works of God.