Putting On The Gloves

Romans 12:3 – For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (KJV)

Increasingly, I see the use of rubber gloves working into our everyday lives. On two separate ferry trips recently, the people who were clearing the dishes from the tables were wearing rubber gloves, as was a woman collecting the fares at the tollbooth.

For quite some time, hospital workers and food handlers have worn gloves for most everything they do. First Aid courses recommend carrying a kit with rubber gloves and a mouth shield should you come upon a situation which requires touching someone who is bleeding, lest you have an abrasion; or someone who needs "mouth to mouth" resuscitation.

Although rubber gloves are used to protect from a potential deadly disease or from an allergic reaction to something, and their use is also written into rules and contracts, it makes a sad statement on the type of world we have created for ourselves. What can be ahead?

It's a horrible thought to think that we could get into a situation where we no longer can feel the love, warmth and comfort of the human touch.

A cousin and his wife wrote recently that they had pulled a person out of the water, and saved that person's life. There was blood all over. Only after they were safely home and reliving the experience, did they realize they hadn't even done anything to protect themselves. They didn't care, they said if they had it to do all over again, they would.

How very lucky we are that God hasn't created a wall of protection between Him and us; that He hasn't decided that contact with us is just too risky.

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, may we think of others first, before ourselves, especially in times of trouble. May we strive to live in a world where we are taking down barriers, instead of constantly creating new ones. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.