Compassion Cleaning House

There are a lot of forwards that can gobble up precious time, but every now and then I get a real winner.

Cleaning for a Reason, www.cleaningforareason.org, helps women fighting cancer by offering a reprieve: free house cleaning. A cancer patient -- weary, strained in energy and finances-- gets a rare opportunity to receive free, compassionate help.

All you have to do is load the zip code to find someone in your area. The testimonials express obvious appreciation of practical help during draining times. It's compassion cleaning house.

Some other good news is that diagnosed cancers in the US have been decreasing by 1.6% per year from 2001 to 2006. However, there are other realities to consider. The older we get, the higher the probability for diagnosis. For example, from ages 30-39, our likelihood of a breast cancer diagnosis is 1 in 223; from ages 60-69, 1 in 27 (Statistics from the National Cancer Institute).

I’m not writing to induce fear, but to suggest thoughtful responses.

The little gem, www.cleaningforareason.org/index.html, is a great value.

Living healthily, the way I believe God intends, is the best way to ward off cancer. Making our own healthy choices is a must: regular mammograms, eating fruit and veggies, exercise, de-stressing our lives, and giving to others.

A vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ, in which we give Him our worries and listen for God’s counsel, is another very real way to detoxify.

While you check out this resource, you might also want to update your own spiritual house cleaning.

For Your Consideration
“'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me'” (Matthew 25:37-40, NIV).

Might God be nudging you to reach out to help someone suffering from cancer?
What gifts has God placed in your hand to offer practical help to someone in need?
Might you, yourself, need some help with spiritual house cleaning?