Day Fifty-five

“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow’—
when you now have it with you.” (Prov. 3:27–28)

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:27–35

Often when someone we know is in need, our feelings of inadequacy paralyze us. We know we can’t fix the problem, so we remain distant. Our lack of power may keep us from exercising the lesser power we possess. We don’t have the power to “fix” lives, but we often have the power to “help” in small but significant ways. Proverbs 3:27–28 teaches us a priceless trait of godliness—timely kindness. Verse 27 instructs us to do good for others when we have the “power to act.” Verse 28 tells us to refrain from putting off the good deed when the “neighbor” is in need—today.

Once I overheard a talk-show host encourage her listeners to perform random acts of kindness. God’s Word reminds us that we don’t have to wait for random opportunities to be kind. Plenty of people we know could use a show of kindness right now.

Because we are aware of so many needy persons, the “plenty” may overwhelm and keep us from extending a timely kindness to one or two. I have a neighbor who is a widow. She is not elderly or inactive. She works long hours and appears to be very self-sufficient. I watch her drive into her garage and walk into her house alone most every evening. As I’ve watched her, I’ve known her greatest need was someone to soothe her loneliness, but the one thing I didn’t have was time. The demands of my own family are great. I almost didn’t even try to help because I knew I couldn’t offer what she really needed.

Then God led me to begin fixing a plate for her any time I prepared more food for dinner than we could eat. I would watch for her to pull into her driveway; then I would run across the street with a hot meal. We have formed a special bond of friendship through a very small act.

I can’t fill the emptiness left by her loss, but I can occasionally fill her tummy with something home cooked—and something she didn’t have to prepare after a long day of work. I almost missed the blessing because I kept thinking how little I could help. Just because we can’t do something great doesn’t mean we can’t do something good.

In the past I’ve missed many opportunities because the need was great. God has promised to meet people’s needs. We’ve just been asked to do some good.

Drop a note in someone’s mailbox. Leave a message on someone’s answering machine. Take someone’s preschooler with you while you do errands. Bake a few extra cookies and give them away.

God has more than random acts of kindness for us, beloved. He has appointments. Let’s not miss them just because we can’t fix them.