Sent with Care 送出关爱包裹

[Dexu Xia]

When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments. 2 Timothy 4:13

Today's Scripture  2 Timothy 4:9-13

Today's Insights  The unfortunate reality of Paul’s requests to Timothy for his support and care (2 Timothy 4:9-13) is that he’d experienced attack from an enemy and desertion from those whom he trusted. He writes that “Alexander the metalworker did [him] a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done” (v. 14). He then follows that with a statement of desertion: “At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me” (v. 16). Being alone, the apostle was very much in need of support, care, and encouragement. But with his time drawing short (v. 6), history is silent as to whether Timothy and Mark arrived in time to come to his aid before his execution took place. Today, we can ask God to show us how we can be an encouragement to others in tangible ways as a reminder of God’s love

Today's Devotional                                                 

I recently learned that the name “CARE” package came from the acronym for “Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe,” a group that sent boxes of food to help Europeans displaced during World War II. While the care packages I send my kids at college are mostly filled with homemade treats and candy, they usually include a few practical items—a favorite shirt forgotten at home or extra school supplies.

While the name “care package” may be modern, the practice of sending helpful items is far older. It’s even tucked away at the end of 2 Timothy. Writing while imprisoned in Rome, Paul concluded his letter to his trusted disciple with some personal requests. He asked that Timothy come and bring Mark to help him (4:11). Then he requested some personal items: his cloak and his “scrolls, especially the parchments” (v. 13). Perhaps the cloak was needed because winter was coming, and maybe the scrolls contained copies of the Old Testament. Whatever the reason, Paul longed for companionship and practical items to refresh and encourage him.

Tangible reminders of care, whether the recipient lives near or far, can have a significant impact on someone in need of a little encouragement. The gift of a meal for a neighbor, a thoughtful card written to a loved one or acquaintance, or a package full of goodies sent to a faraway friend can extend God’s love in practical ways.

Reflect & Pray

When did you receive a reminder of God’s love? How did that kindness encourage you?

 Heavenly Father, please open my eyes to see who I might show Your love to. By Lisa Samra

我在特罗亚留于加布的那件外衣，你来的时候可以带来，那些书也要带来，更要紧的是那些羊皮卷。提摩太后书 4:13

今日经文 提摩太后书 4章9-13 节

今日洞见 保罗请求提摩太给他支持和关怀（提摩太后书 4:9-13），这背后令人遗憾的现实是，他遭受了敌人的攻击，也被他信任的人抛弃。他写道：“铜匠亚历山大多多地害我。主必照他所行的报应他”（14节）。接着，他提到被抛弃的经历：“我第一次申辩的时候，没有人前来帮助，竟然都离弃了我”（16节）。这位使徒孤身一人，非常需要支持、关怀和鼓励。但由于他的时日无多（6节），历史并没有记载提摩太和马可是否及时赶到，在他被处决之前伸出援手。今天，我们可以祈求上帝指引我们，以切实可行的方式鼓励他人，以此提醒他们上帝的爱。

  今日灵修 我最近了解到，“关爱包裹”这个名字来源于“美国对欧洲汇款合作社”首字母的缩写，这个组织在二战期间向流离失所的欧洲人寄送食物包裹。虽然在我寄给上大学的孩子们的关爱包裹里，大多装的是自制的零食和糖果，但通常我也会放一些实用的东西，比如一件忘在家里的衬衫或一些额外的学习用品。

  虽然“关爱包裹”这个名字可能是现代的，但寄送有用的物品这种做法却由来已久。它甚至被记录在提摩太后书的末尾。保罗在罗马监狱里写信给他忠实的门徒，在信的结尾处他提出了一些个人的请求。他请求提摩太带着马可来帮助他（4:11）。然后他又请求给他一些个人的物品：他的大衣和他的“书卷，特别是羊皮卷”（第 13 节）。也许他需要大衣是因为冬天快到了，也许这书卷里是旧约圣经的副本。无论出于什么原因，保罗都渴望有陪伴，以及一些实用的物品来让他感到慰藉和鼓励。无论收礼者住在附近还是远方，这些充满关爱的具体表达都能对那些需要鼓励的人产生重要的影响。为邻居送上一顿饭，给亲人或朋友写一张充满心意的卡片，或者给远方的朋友寄去一份装满好东西的包裹，这些都能以实际的方式传递上帝的爱。

反思与祷告 你何时曾感受到上帝的爱？这份爱如何鼓励了你？ 天父，求您开启我的眼睛，让我看到，我可以向谁分享你的爱。作者  丽萨 珊拉