A Helping Hand

I am sure we all are aware of opportunities to help another. Every day one can turn on a television, listen to the radio, look around our environment and see NEED. As a Christian, we are taught love, compassion for others; but how many of us understand that love and compassion are not simple feelings. Love, compassion requires works, action to truly be effective.

I vividly recall two small acts of kindness shown by friends. Once I was in a public park and the friend I was with had a bag with an extra Chick-Fil-A sandwich, and without provocation, handed the bag to a guy (who appeared homeless) in the park. Another time, I was with a friend and as we approached a traffic light he began reaching for loose change. I added a couple dollars to the couple he had, and he passed it all to a guy standing (with the familiar cardboard sign) in the median.

I know we can be untrusting and judgemental of those who are without, but one thing both my friends had in common was that it didn't really matter if the guy threw the sandwich away or dude blew the money on drugs or alcohol. What mattered was they showed love and compassion.

How many small acts of kindness do we overlook daily because we are too busy taking care of ourselves? Moments pass when we could show love or compassion without cost. Missionaries are more than the elderly ladies dressed in white with big church hats, more than the group traveling to Third World countries. Missionaries are you and me. The Word of God teaches us to go and share His love, to speak of His greatness, to love one another as He loves us. Difficult it may be because, honestly, it may go against our human nature, BUT whom He has made stewards, He requires to be good and faithful stewards.

True, prayer changes things -- but faith without the action is fruitless. Therefore, while we pray, let us not be afraid or hesitant to mentor the youth that the system says is hopeless; serve a plate of food to the person with dingy clothes and dirty hands; offer a sincere compliment to the arrogant or mean co-worker. I am guilty of having desire without action. Join me on a journey to change that, to positively influence somone, to take a step out of our world to help another in theirs.

Live blessed!
Me