THOUGHTS, December 11, 20 20, Devotional on I Thessalonians 1:6-7

                           What does Melly the Fighter have to do with Thessalonians?

"You also became imitators of us and of the Lord...so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia."

One way in which they became examples was illustrated in Romans 15: 25-26, "but now, I (Paul) am going to Jerusalem serving the saints (true believers, holy ones).  For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem." 

Jerusalem Christ followers were under terrible persecution.  The new Christians in Macedonia and Achaia had a taste of that themselves and were moved to help the church in Jerusalem with an offering for their relief.  They were a shining example of Paul's calling to take the Gospel to the Gentiles, a direct example to all believers as was said in verse 7. 

Tis the season to celebrate gift giving.  The three kings are the example we follow as we celebrate Christ's birth with gift giving.  How can we not try to give back a crumb of all that His indescribable gift has meant to us.  

In the verses we looked at today, giving went beyond their own circle.  Look for ways to give outside your immediate circle this season.  May I suggest Melly the Fighter's GoFundMe page for our dear friend's four year old fighting brain cancer with her next surgery on Dec.21.  Though she was hospitalized earlier this week for an infection that left her unable to keep anything down, she was released to rest up at home until surgery.  This young couple came to us when they were expecting their first baby a few years back and lived with us until they got back on their feet after their move from Southern California to here.  

Now their little Melody and their family is in need of help again made more difficult in this pandemic surrounding them with life-threatening germs.  Two of our daughters are their only safe place to reach out for help as they have isolated themselves to keep their own children safe due to some of their own kid's compromised health.  Since I too am isolated, I have been allowed into this small circle.  Thus, Melly calls my girls her aunties.  One watches their three boys when Lillis has to spend time at UCD, and Mark has to work.  I thank God for the gift of all my girls, including Lillis.  They are all supermoms!