Sunday Reflection: The Comfort in a Bandage

A kindergartner, of a teacher friend, walked in after school to her office (mine is next door) and told his mother that his finger hurt. It looked like a hangnail gone wrong. I asked him if he wanted a “Band-Aid”. He said yes. While he stood at attention, I wrapped the large generic bandage around his tiny finger. He was appreciative. Then I saw it in his eyes. The bandage made him feel better; it comforted him.

"Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:1-2 (NIV)

As a school based social worker/liaison, I see lots of needs in the youth I serve. So often, I feel that the things I provide or do for them are bandages or temporary fixes. When I look at it that way, I feel as if what I do doesn’t help.

"You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat." Isaiah 25:4 (NIV)

Putting the bandage on my little kindergartner friend made me realize that the bandages we provide to anyone in need, albeit temporary, is a comfort. Most of all, the person receiving the bandage sees that someone cares. The compassion we show another could possibly be the spark that flames the fire of hope that inspires a person to take one more step forward.

"He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God." Proverbs 14:31 (NIV)

What we do directly or indirectly to help another person does matter--to them.

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." Luke 6:36 (NIV)

Blessings,

Teresa