When We Restore Others, We Are Restored

Many in the northeast have seen the “Tunnel 2 Towers” commercial with legendary NY Yankee pitcher Andy Pettitte supporting this great program.  Pettitte’s statement in the commercial, “The Bible tells us that when we restore others that we ourselves will be restored,” resonated with me.

I decided to explore this idea further.  I also wanted to find out what other of my favorite luminaries may have referred to this restorative idea.

Act of Restoration

One of the most profound truths of human existence is the interconnectivity of our actions and their broader implications. The act of restoration, of helping another find his or her way back, is more than just a charitable endeavor.  It’s a transformative journey that mirrors our need for renewal.

Insights from Bishop Fulton Sheen, G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, and Scripture, illuminate the beautiful reciprocity of restoration.

Bishop Fulton Sheen

Bishop Fulton Sheen, a beacon of spiritual wisdom, once remarked that the greatest love story of all time is between God and man. He consistently emphasized that in God’s divine plan, each of us plays a role in the redemption of others.

Like a ship’s craftsman restoring an old boat, God uses us to gently remove the layers of dust, grime, paint, and barnacles that life accumulates on the souls of our fellow beings. As we do this, our souls are also inadvertently polished, reflecting a clearer image of our Creator. The restorer becomes restored!

G.K. Chesterton

With his inimitable wit and wisdom, G.K. Chesterton often spoke of the paradoxes that dominate our lives. He might have framed restoration as a paradox where, in giving, we receive, and in emptying, we are filled.

Imagine pouring water from one vessel to another but while one seems to drain, it’s refilled from a boundless source. Transferring, or restoring, replenishes both in a continuous loop. Chesterton would likely assert that the real miracle isn’t just in the restoration of the one being helped but in the transformation of the helper, who often receives more than they give.

C.S. Lewis

In his exploration of human nature and spirituality, C.S. Lewis often touched upon the idea that our interactions with others mirror our relationship with the divine. In restoring others, we act as sub-creators, channeling the restorative love of the Creator.

As a metal smith hammers and molds a lump of metal into something beautiful, the act of shaping paradoxically hardens yet softens his hands, making them more receptive and gentler. Similarly, our acts of kindness and restoration mold us, refining our character.

Scripture

Scripture, the timeless testament to humanity’s relationship with the divine, repeatedly underscores this theme. In Galatians 6:1, we are told, “Brothers, even if a person is caught in some transgression, you who are spiritual should correct that one in a gentle spirit, looking to yourself, so that you also may not be tempted.” But this act of restoration isn’t a one-way street.

Proverbs 11:25, in fact, affirms that the giver receives. ” Whoever confers benefits will be amply enriched, and whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Here, the Bible offers a clear analogy: restoration is like the water cycle. Rain nourishes the earth and the earth releases water back into the atmosphere, completing the cycle. So, too, in restoring others, we construct a spiritual cycle, receiving nourishment in return.

A Transformative Power

The transformative power of restoring others has echoed across ages and cultures, weaving a universal tapestry of interconnectedness. Sheen’s, Chesterton’s, and Lewis’s musings on our divine reflections, all ingrain in human consciousness the idea that by helping others, we help ourselves.

Delving deeper into this wellspring of wisdom, consider, too, the teachings of Mother Teresa, Khalil Gibran, St. Augustine, and Jesus. They all illuminate the profound dance of mutual restoration further.

Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa, the beacon of compassion in modern times, exemplified the essence of service. For her, every act of kindness reflected divine love. She once said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

In the bustling streets of Calcutta, as she cradled the sick and the dying, Mother Teresa was doing more than just restoring dignity and love to the forsaken. She was, in essence, finding Christ in each of them. In this act, her spirit was continually rejuvenated, underscoring the truth that the restorer is as renewed as the one being restored.

Khalil Gibran

Khalil Gibran, a poetic philosopher, wrote in ‘The Prophet,’ “You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”

Gibran’s profound wisdom rests in recognizing that true restoration goes beyond material or external aid. It’s a deep, soulful exchange akin to two rivers merging into one. As we pour ourselves into restoring another, the waters of our being are enriched, deepened, and made more whole.

St. Augustine

St. Augustine, one of the great theologians of the early Christian church, chronicled his journey from a life of sin to one of divine connection in his autobiographical “Confessions.” His life story is a testament to the concept of restoration.

Augustine writes, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” This restlessness, a universal human experience, finds solace when we engage in acts of restoration. As we guide others toward peace, we, too, find our way back to the tranquility that our souls so deeply yearn for.

Jesus Christ

Jesus, the central figure of Christianity, not only preached but lived the virtues of restoration. His miracles of healing the sick, raising the dead, and restoring sight to the blind were physical acts and symbolic representations of spiritual restoration.

In healing, Jesus restored faith, hope, and love. His teachings, such as “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), further reiterate the transformative power of selfless giving. When we restore others, echoing Jesus’s acts, we align ourselves with divine love. In that alignment, our spirits find renewal.

A Common Thread

A common thread emerges when drawing all these luminaries together. Restoring others through physical aid, emotional support, spiritual guidance, or simply love is a two-fold blessing. It’s a dance of souls, as each act of kindness, each gesture of goodwill, and each moment of understanding reverberates through the giver and the receiver.

Conclusion

The message is clear across cultures, epochs, and philosophies. When we immerse ourselves in restoring others, we do not merely replenish their spirit – we embark on a profound journey of self-renewal. From Mother Teresa’s bustling streets to Gibran’s poetic musings, Jesus’s miraculous acts, and Augustine’s confessional insights, the wisdom remains consistent and profound. In the intricate dance of life, as we lift others, we, too, are elevated.

How can we restore others? In a word, through love.  But the three T’s can also help in answering this question. Time, talent, and treasure all help in restoring others.