Caring for Others
2 Samuel 9:2-7
God desires to use you to help meet the needs of others through kindness, care, and compassion.
In a day of technological advancements and constant innovation, our society is always looking for the faster, better, stronger, more forward thinking item on the market. Yet while technology has a corner on innovation, one thing technology can't provide is genuine human kindness. Consider the following story as an example.
Mamie Adams was an older woman who lived in a small town in mid-America during the late 80's. She had lived through many ups and downs in the nation over the years and had experienced much in her lifetime. She had raised three children and had been blessed with many grandchildren. Once a week she mailed letters to her children who were scattered across the country. Despite it being far from her house, she visited one specific postal branch each week. Why? Because the employees were friendly and kind to her. One Christmas season, she drove to the branch for her weekly visit, only to find a very long line of people wishing to mail gifts for the holidays. She assumed a place in line and patiently waited. A newer employee hired for the busyness of the season was feverishly seeking to help people get in and out as quickly as possible. He was providing labels, boxes, and pens to those who needed such items. The employee approached Mamie and asked the reason for her visit. Mamie replied, "I need three stamps for my letters." "Ma'am, you don't have to wait in line. We have a stamp machine at the front of the store from which you can purchase stamps and be on your way." Mamie replied, "I know, but the stamp machine won't ask me how my arthritis is doing."
Kindness means much in our world because it is very rare. If you think about this past week, you may be able to think of more instances in which someone cut you off on the road, gave you a dirty look, piled work on you, or overlooked an accomplishment than you can think of instances in which someone was kind to you. Even if this is true in the world, it shouldn't be indicative of our lives as Christians.
Think about David's kindness seen in 2 Samuel 9. He didn't owe kindness to Mephibosheth. Truthfully, he could have overlooked this crippled member of Saul's family. Mephibosheth lived in obscurity, probably among his mother's relatives in Lo-debar in Gilead on the other side of Jordan. He was forgotten, overlooked, and probably not even remembered by many of Saul's kingdom. Yet David sought out Mephibosheth and showed kindness to someone less fortunate.
How kind of a person are you? You may like to think you help others, but take a minute and truly examine your actions. Do you display kindness to others, even those less fortunate? While on earth, Jesus made a vital part of His ministry helping others with needs. Everyone has needs. God desires to use you to help meet those needs through kindness, care, and compassion. Allow God to use you by committing to show kindness to others today even if they don't show kindness to you.
Daily Bible Reading
Numbers 32-34 Mark 30-50
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