“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you,’ when you already have it with you.” Proverbs 3:27-28
Recently, I read a story about a man whose life motto was the phrase, “Do good and forget it.” The phrase was repeated over and over in the family and characterized their way of life. The man never owned a house and the only piece of land he ever bought was a burial plot in a cemetery in a country he never saw! This saying, “Do good and forget it” was so defining for the man and his wife that along with their last name, it appears on their gravestone along with the verse, “I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content,” Philippians 4:11. He was only 5’3” but to his daughter he was, “The biggest man I ever knew.” He always had a hand out, not to grab all he could get, but to give to anyone who needed a helping hand. He never accumulated anything for himself except knowledge and wisdom. He died penniless but it was often said of him, “He was the richest man I ever knew.”
The Bible has a good deal to say about being good and doing good. Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or a small act of caring, all have the potential to turn a life around. There are continuous opportunities to make our love felt. Last week I had an opportunity with a good friend who needed emergency care for a large kidney stone. It was something I had not anticipated in my busy schedule, but I felt I should be with her since she was my friend and a single lady. I could carve out a few hours in my day to sit with her in the hospital room. I could take her home and care for her. I could keep her with me for several days and through another surgical procedure. The Lord brought this verse to my attention, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.” Yes, I had an extra bedroom, I had plenty of food in my pantry and she wanted to come and stay with me. Yes, Lord, I CAN do it! It’s in my power to act! The Lord worked my busy schedule so that she was covered by other friends who came to help. It was a beautiful example of the Body of Christ helping each other! I felt God’s tender care and so did my friend. She gave God all the praise!
William Wordsworth, the poet wrote, “The best portion of a good man’s life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.” One of the coolest experiences we can have is when someone recalls how we did something for them that meant a great deal. We at first have trouble even recalling it because we’re not keeping score, we just did an act of kindness. “Do good and forget it!” We won’t radiate kindness without some help from the Holy Spirit. Praying to be filled with God’s Spirit, to see each person as Christ sees them, to see each person as Christ, these help us to be living expressions of God’s kindness.
Mother Teresa put it this say, “Spread love everywhere you go: First of all in your own house…let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting.” A way of doing good when it’s in your power to do it!
Your friend, Jean