Never Dreamed...

Photo by Rafael Rafa at Pixabay

I never dreamed I'd live to see these times, physically distanced from friends, family, and so many others. No impulsive hugs, no dining out, no movies, no shopping or travel. How can I alleviate the isolation of others, offer kindnesses, or make any difference? Sure, there are always phone calls and conversations from several feet apart, but those seem so insignificant compared to what I would normally do. It is so easy to bury my head in a book, at home movie, or in my writing.

In Luke 21:34 Jesus warns us not to become too engrossed in the things of this world as to become complacent to the things of God. Yet, it is so easy to get caught up in the here and now and forget we still have options, still have a purpose in this life, but are the small things I'm doing all that important?

It is, if it is done in love.

God calls each of us to love others. Our acts might not be dramatic or earth changing, but we can still touch others - even through the isolation and distancing. We may never know whom, where, or how we may touch another's life, and it doesn’t matter. God knows.

St. Augustine states: “Love has a hand to help others. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has ears to hear the signs and sorrows of others. That’s what love looks like.”

Upon reflection, I remembered the intuitive remark at the right moment to ease another’s concern, the last minute phone call to a friend who had been on my mind all day, and the compliment given to a checkout clerk who rang up my groceries with exceptional cheer. 

I am usually unaware of the impact these simple acts have on those who receive them, and if sometime later I do hear how much they meant to the other person, I am amazed. 

And speaking of being amazed, the following quote from one of my devotions confirmed my thoughts and added one I had not considered an act of love. 

Feeding the Poor

Feeding both body and spirit — complimenting someone, listening, caring, writing stories that feed the heart and mind with God’s love.

Author Unknown

Wow.  I never thought my scribbles would be considered an act of love. Then, I shouldn't be surprised if God has His hand in it.  

The Power of One

I’ve been on this merry-go-round many times, unable to come to terms with the needs of so many and my limited resources. I can’t seem to get passed the guilt of having so much while others have little, and yet what I have to share is barely a drop compared to the numbers of people needing help.

The old saying that charity begins at home means to start with my husband and family, and then spread out to others, but the number is so small. Is helping one person, or a few, enough?

As if in response to my question, this scripture verse flashed through my thoughts. “If a man has a hundred sheep, and one goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine in the mountains and seek that which has gone astray?” Matthew 18:12.

Photo by Pexels from Pixabay

There is my answer. If God cares for enough for one to leave the rest and search for one lost soul, then yes, even just one matters.

That thought spiraled to the story of the starfish.

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf.

Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”

Original story by Loren Eisley

The devil wants me to be overwhelmed with the sheer number of needy souls, stymied into inaction. He doesn’t want me to know that although I may not help thousands of souls like Mother Teresa, I can make a difference — even if it is just one.  

Thank you, Lord, for showing me the power of one.