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Hey, happy Friday, everyone!
You know, one of the greatest misconceptions that we have is that the people helping others somehow don’t need help themselves.
You know, this week our teams have been serving communities devastated by tornadoes in Wisconsin, fires in Washington state. We’ve been responding to tragedies in Seattle and Twin Falls, Idaho.
And we often talk about what we’ve been doing. But today, I just want to share quickly something about why it matters.
One of our K-9 Comfort Dog teams met a Red Cross worker who had been deployed consecutively from disaster to disaster. In fact, this was her 27th deployment.
That means, for the 27th time throughout the duration of each deployment, she was actively caring for others who were hurting.
As she sat beside Comfort Dog Samaria, she quietly admitted something that really caught everyone’s attention.
Three times she mentioned, “I think I’m going to cry.” When her handler gently told her, “It’s okay. Take your time,” she responded, “No, I have to be there for those who need the assistance.”
A few moments later, the truth came out.
She looked down and saw Samaria and said, “I really needed Samaria today.”
Isn’t that often how life works? The strongest person in the room may be exhausted. The caregiver may need someone to care for them. The encourager may desperately need encouragement. The one comforting everyone else may quietly be carrying a burden that no one else can see.
As I read those comments in that story, I couldn’t help but think of Jesus’s own disciples. They had just returned from serving others, and they were pouring themselves out for people, giving everything they had. Yet before Jesus asked them to do one more thing, He noticed something.
They hadn’t even stopped to recognize themselves.
Jesus said to them, “Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31)
I love that Jesus has a way of seeing the people who are busy seeing everyone else.
While the crowd saw disciples accomplishing ministry, Jesus saw weary hearts that needed His care before He called them back into service.
He invited them into His presence.
And I think that’s exactly what happened this week.
While, everyone else saw a seasoned Red Cross volunteer faithfully doing her job, Jesus saw a weary daughter who needed to be reminded that she wasn’t alone through a Comfort Dog, a compassionate handler, and a quiet moment in the middle of a disaster response.
Jesus gently whispered to her, “I see you too.”
I wonder how many people you’ll encounter this weekend who appear strong on the outside, but are quietly carrying more than anyone knows.
Maybe it’s the coworker who’s always dependable.
The parent who never complains.
The first responder.
How about the pastor?
How about the volunteer?
Or that friend who’s constantly checking on everyone else?
You know God can move and speak through you to remind them of something they desperately need to hear.
They don’t always have to be the strong one because the Savior who sends us to care for others never forgets to care for those He sends.
And perhaps — maybe this weekend — you’re the one that needs to hear that message and that invitation from Jesus to receive His care.
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