YOUR NICHE

In a series of cartoons some years ago, Linus, out of the “Peanuts” characters was getting stick from his sister because of his new found calling – patting little birds on the head.  Distressed birds would approach Linus, lower their little feathered heads to be patted, sigh deeply and walk away with a deep sense of satisfaction. This simple act of kindness brought Linus no end of fulfilment despite his family’s embarrassment.

Now I’ll grant you that bird-patting is a little unusual as a calling.  It’s not every day that you meet someone who gets such a great sense of fulfilment
out of doing something which seems so insignificant.   At least we could agree that it is definitely not one of the gifts mentioned in our passage (1Cor.12)   …… or is it?

How about that niche called ‘showing mercy’ or ‘helps’?
Romans 12 mentions ‘encouraging’ and a little later ‘contributing to the needs of others.’   The more I consider this, the more I see that some people’s niche is indeed patting, hugging, encouraging.

Now if this is your niche you may encounter some Lucy Brown type people
who may not quite understand where this fits in, who may be embarrassed
by your enthusiasm in this area or who may see it as some lesser type function.

In one of the cartoon scenes, Charlie Brown and Linus are speaking together about all this patting business.   Linus wants to know what’s wrong with patting birds on the head anyway.  “So what’s wrong with it?” he demands. After staring thoughtfully for a moment, Charlie responds frankly  – “No-one else does it!”

Some niches may go unnoticed or even simply tolerated rather than being appreciated.   Not the preaching or teaching niche though.   If you’re a Bible teacher – Wow!  Or an evangelist …. There’s no way you will be ignored.   Or if you have some public ministry, you have it made.

But wait a minute!    Let’s hear it for a change for the ‘toes on the Body.   Or how about some applause for the ‘spleens’ and the ‘tonsils’ and a ‘finger-nail’ or two?
What about the verse that says that God has given greater honour to the lesser parts? (1 Cor.12)

So if your niche is encouraging, please don’t stop.  If it is hugging, comforting, demonstrating warmth, compassion and mercy;   If it is patting down feathers which have been ruffled in some way, soothing areas which have been bruised by adversity - for goodness sake keep doing what you are good at.  Don’t quit.  Give your heart to it regardless of any personal gain.  “There is absolutely no limit to where a person can go in life providing they don’t’ mind who gets the credit”

CRABBY OLD MAN

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a small hospital near Tampa, Florida, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.

Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.

One nurse took her copy to Missouri. The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the St. Louis Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent poem.

And this little old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is
now the author of this "anonymous" poem winging across the Internet.

Crabby Old Man

What do you see nurses? ......What do you see?
What are you thinking......when you're looking at me?
A crabby old man, ..not very wise,
Uncertain of habit ........with faraway eyes?

Who dribbles his food.......and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice....."I do wish you'd try!"
Who seems not to notice ..the things that you do.
And forever is losing .............. A sock or shoe?

Who, resisting or not...........lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding ...... The long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking? Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse......you're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am ......... As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, .....as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of Ten.......with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters .........who love one another

A young boy of Sixteen .with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now. ..........a lover he'll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty .........my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows........that I promised to keep.

At Twenty-Five, now .......... I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide . And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty ......... My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other ........ With ties that should last.

At Forty, my young sons ....have grown and are gone,
But my woman's beside me........to see I don't mourn.
At Fifty, once more, .......... Babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children ......... My loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me .......... My wife is now dead.
I look at the future ...........I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing .young of their own.
And I think of the years...... And the love that I've known.

I'm now an old man.........and nature is cruel.
Tis jest to make old age .......look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles..........grace and vigor, depart.
There is now a stone........where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass ...... A young guy still dwells,
And now and again ........my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys.............. I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living.............life over again.

I think of the years ....all too few......gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact........that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people ..........open and see..
Not a crabby old man. Look closer....see........ME!!

Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within.....we will all, one day, be there, too!