Unity in Our CommunitySample

Moved to Serve

“Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn.”—Galatians 4:14

When a heroin-addicted mother and baby showed up at her door, Clara McBride Hale was sixty-five years old and retired from her day-care business. Instead of turning the woman and child away, she took them in.Six months later, the retired Clara was caring for twenty-two infants.

After five years, “Mother Hale,” as she was known, founded Hale House in her Harlem (New York) community. She eventually cared for more than a thousand babies and young children, many of whom were drug-addicted, HIVpositive, ororphaned. President Ronald Reagan honored Mother Hale as an “American Hero,” noting how “she helps them with love.”

When the apostle Paul was in Galatia, “it was because of an illness” that he “first preached the gospel” there (Galatians 4:13). The kind of illness is unclear, but Paul acknowledged that it was “a trial” for those who believed his message (v. 14).

However, united by the joy of the Holy Spirit, these new believers showed their love by caring for Paul as though he were “an angel of God” or “Christ Jesushimself” (Galatians 4:14-15).

Serving others as though serving Christisn’talways easy. But like Mother Hale, with God’s help, we can show people love and respect—especially to those who are vulnerable. With Jesus’ guidance, our service andpossible sacrifice, can reflect His love and result in the joy only God’s Spirit provides.

Joanna Bradford

What challenges do you have with serving others? How will you overcome challenges to serve others?

Dear caring Father, I pray that my actions towards others would speak of Jesus’ love. Amen.