What You Have Could Be Spreading

I don’t recognize the number when my phone rings, but I’m not surprised to hear it’s the public health nurse on the other end. One of my students has a confirmed case of pertussis. Even though I’m healthy it has been suggested I start an antibiotic just in case. Every teacher of this student gets a phone call. Everyone who sits next to this student gets a call. Every student in the school is sent home with a note of warning.

Soon I am taking roll and start to see other names absent. Reason: Whooping cough.

I say to my daughter over lunch, One sick person can have this much effect. I want to have the same spreading influence except with all the goodness of God. 

Contagious hope.

Truth gone viral.

Fruit of the Spirit affecting the person sitting to my right and to my left.

My daughter says, Mom, only you could make a spiritual application out of whooping cough.

It’s Jesus’ fault. He talks about it all the time.

You are the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13)

The light of the world. (Matthew 5:14)

The teaspoon of Fleischmann’s Yeast that affects a whole lotta dough. (Matthew 13:33)

What if you could see the influence you have by performing a nasal swab on everyone around you? (This is me giggling at that image.) Would there be evidence that the love and peace of Christ has passed from you to them?

Last week I played piano for the funeral of a 91-year-old woman. In her 80s she was serving as crisis counselor to women in her neighborhood, hosting Bible studies, and attending prayer meetings. In her 90’s, even as an Alzheimer patient in a skilled nursing facility, she was reaching out and bringing a peaceful touch to the other residents.

Our lives are meant to spread good stuff.

Spread it fast and effectively.

So yeah, may Christ work through us as fast as Pertussis in a schoolroom.