Last month was my mother’s birthday. My family and I did everything we could to make her day special. In addition to our efforts, others called, sent flowers, and sent cards. My mother was overwhelmed and extremely happy about all the hoopla, kindness, and love that was shown to her. Taking it all in she exclaimed, “It’s good to be remembered!” Just a few short months ago she had been living out of town by herself as a widow, and because of the distance and health issues, she didn’t have the interaction with her family and loved ones. At times while alone, she felt that she was forgotten or unimportant.
Just like my mother, many people around us feel lonely, stressed, or devastated by a problem or tragedy. No, we can’t do or fix everything – but we can do something. Reaching out with love to comfort, strengthen, and serve others not only pleases the Lord, but he says that you are serving him personally by doing so. In Matthew 25:34-40 Jesus states:
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Some simple ways to show acts of kindness:
- Check on elderly neighbors.
- Give caretakers of sick loved ones a break.
- Visit, send flowers, or send cards to someone in the hospital.
- Donate new or gently used clothes to a homeless shelter.
- Bring or send a meal or groceries to someone.
- Mentor a child or teenager.
- Pay for the meal of a stranger at a restaurant or drive-thru.
- Invite a new person in your office, church, or neighborhood to lunch.
- Give money anonymously to someone that is having a hard time financially.
PRAY THIS PRAYER:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts me in all my troubles, so that I can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort I have received from God. Lord it’s an honor and a privilege to serve you through serving others. Show me how to love those in my sphere of influence who feel insignificant, because they are important to you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
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