God's Glory Church

“And all the widows surrounded him, weeping and showing him the dresses and cloaks that Sarna had made.” — Acts 9:39

On one of my father’s last days, a nurse asked me if she could shave him. Gently running the blade across his face, Rachel said, “Older men like to look neat every day.” She saw a need and decided to show kindness, dignity and respect to others in a practical way. Her tender care reminded me of my friend Julia, who still paints her old mother’s nails because it is important to her that she “looks good.”

In the 9th chapter of the book of the Acts of the Holy Apostles, it is told about a disciple named Sarna (Tavita), who showed kindness by sewing clothes for the poor (vv. 36, 39). When she died, many friends gathered in her room to mourn this kind woman who loved to help others.

However, Sarna’s story did not end there. When the apostle Peter was led to the place where her body lay, he bowed his knees and prayed. Then he addressed her by name and said: “Tavitha, get up!” (v. 40). A miracle happened. Tavita opened her eyes and stood up. When her friends learned that she had come back to life, the news about it quickly spread throughout the city and “many believed in the Lord” (v. 42).

How did Sarna spend the next day of her life? Probably, like many previous days, she saw people’s needs and satisfied them.

Who among you knows is always looking for ways to help others? How are you better at being aware of other people’s needs?

Heavenly Father, help me to see poor and needy people every day. Open my heart to actions that will show them Your love.

By Cindy Hess Kasper