Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. I Peter 4:10

A simple gesture in response to a specific need, done in a loving way. In this case with a rag and Vaseline!

Natural seepage of oil from the ocean floor leaves bits of tar on the wet sand. So, after a long walk along a Southern California beach, I’d discovered a glob of tar on the bottom of my foot. I got out my beach bag, grabbed a rag and because it softens tar, some Vaseline. Sitting on the back bumper of my car, crossing leg over knee, I awkwardly tried to bend and find the tar. My friend could see I wasn’t very flexible; she knelt and, with Vaseline and rag, gently wiped the tar away.

Her thoughtful, caring service touched me and I realized that whether we use a basin and towel or a rag and Vaseline, we watch, we listen, and we respond to the needs at hand. That is our diaconal service.

Prayer: Wherever we see a need, God, help us discern your call to service. Amen.

Deaconess Sandra Eacret
Goleta, CA