Food For Thought

Complimentary Story
    March. Br-r-r-r. It is still cold and wintery, yet we are beginning to think of spring and summer and plans for both. Easter is also coming and for many Christians that means Lent — a time for reflection of how we treat others and how we can do better.

   Food for thought: Do we need to care for others? Why? Let’s examine some of the reasons.

   First, God commanded that we love Him first and foremost. Next, He commanded that we love our neighbor as we love Him. We don’t always have to like our neighbors but we do have to love them and forgive them, as we would want them to do for us. We also have a responsibility to set an example for them and hope they learn about God’s love through our example.

   Second, we have to consider how we want to be treated. We know we can’t make everyone like us, but we would want to be remembered for our love, kindness and thoughtfulness, not our bitterness and pettiness. I know when I die, I would like people to remember me for my kindness to others and forget my mistakes.

   Third, Jesus walked among sinners and those on the fringes of society. How can we do any less than He?  Those who fail in society’s eyes; those who have made mistakes which have hurt those around them — like alcoholics or sexual offenders — we don’t like them but we still have to love them, no matter how hard that may be sometimes. But think about this: How do we treat a woman who has succumbed to a moment of weakness through sex, or is a victim of some form of abuse, and becomes pregnant? Do we condemn her? Do we want to stone her as they did in Jesus’ time for her sin?

   No, those ways are not our ways today. However, we may not stone her but we do snub and sometimes condemn this woman. We ignore her; we treat her as an outcast. We judge her by our standards. Maybe she wasn’t raised with the same values as we were. Perhaps she came from a home where there is no respect for other family members or for her. Perhaps she is pregnant because of incest, physical abuse by a spouse or significant other. We don’t know the woman’s story, and care needs to be taken when assessing her situation. Judgment is not our business but God’s. But God does call us to help care for her.

    Bella has seen women from all these types of situations but the staff at Bella never judge the client. Our job is to make her feel loved and respected, no matter what has transpired in her personal life. We use the resources we have to make her feel cared for and hopeful. Where there is hope, life has a chance, especially the life of her unborn child.

   As I have stated so many times in the past, THANK YOU for all your support and caring. Bella is the better for your awareness, contributions, volunteer time and prayers. We couldn’t offer the services we have without the presence of God’s love in your heart and for others. It is this love and hope that we share with our clients and help them move forward in life. Hope is kindled through our support and resources. That’s our food for thought. If Bella wasn’t there, where would the clients who come to us find hope?

   As always, if you can find it in your heart to send just a $5 donation, or a $500 donation, every little bit helps us give clients love, hope and support, with the thought that she can move forward. Her life isn’t over!

   You can donate to Bella through our website:  www.BellaMedClinic.org Or you can come visit us at Bella Medical Clinic at 1484 W. South Park Avenue, Oshkosh, Wis. 54902, and tour Bella while you are there to see firsthand what we offer clients. You can drop off your donation then or volunteer your time, if you are able. Whatever you can do, it is always, always appreciated.

BellaMedClinic.org

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