Someone Cares
To make a difference in someone’s life, you don’t have to be brilliant,
rich, beautiful, or perfect. You just have to care. But the question is, what does care look like?
On this wonderful new item called social media, I’ve gotten this bleeding heart declaration which I’m supposed to sign on to. The article begins with something like, “If I called you at two o’clock in the morning sobbing and…” It ends with the words or idea, “would you be there for me?”
Of course, if you’re a “friend” you know you ought to answer, “Yes, I’ll be there for you.” I do feel guilty when I get those little ditties because I do want to care, and I hate being so honest at times… but I probably would answer no.
Most of these aren’t sent by my close friends, just casual acquaintances, and why they demand my undying love and devotion I’m wondering. Back in the day when I would do something for one of my children and they would say, “Thanks, mom.” My response always was, sure, no problem. All I ask is your undying love and devotion.
At the time it was meant to be funny, but now that I’m older I realize the value it held. A family tie is different and should not be easily broken. That isn’t a casual acquaintance. I do thank God for my family, friends, and neighbors.
A few years ago Old Fuzzy was taking a load of calves/cattle to a sale barn. Granted it was a small trailer load. He got between towns when the axle started to drop off the rear of the small trailer.
I’ve told this story more than once. He called a neighbor who dropped what he was doing, brought his trailer, and helped Old Fuzzy finish his task. That’s a neighbor indeed. And indeed, there have been several times in our lives when neighbors have stepped in. Sometimes we have been neighbors as well and it works out but…
As the scriptures say, “Matthew 7:12 All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets.”
Most of us in this neighborhood have grown up hearing this admonition. At least the older of us, and we just believe that as truth. When I was looking for an editor for my first book, one of the editors gave me grief about the number of ‘flat tires’ I mentioned in the book. I think in total there were three. One was the saggy tire at the beginning of the book, another one was about the middle of the book and one was just mentioned as happening.
Those of us living and navigating the gravel roads out here aren’t impressed by that number of flat tires, but the editor’s complaint didn’t end with the number of flat tires itself. She also complained about the people who had stopped to help their fellow sufferers.
Most of the people were strangers to one another, yet they willingly went the extra mile to be of help. —No, the editor said, this just doesn’t happen.
My daughter at the time of exchange between the editor and myself laughed and told the story of her recent encounter. She and her kids were driving somewhere and had the misfortune of a flat tire. She got out and was looking at the problem when a man pulled up, got out changed the tire for her, got back in his pickup, and left.
She said, I didn’t know him, I still don’t know him, but what a blessing. No money was exchanged, and it sounded like very little conversation happened, yet whether the man was a believer in God or not, he did a good deed.
We do see evil in this world. It seems to be increasing. I wonder if it isn’t a combination of news broadcasting and an increase in happening. Regardless, we are warned of our being in a spiritual battle.
“Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. 11) Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12) For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
This has been an ongoing battle since the creation of the world. We are told it will continue until the Lord comes back again. “2Timothy 3:13 But evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
Throughout history, it is shown that even during the darkest hours and during times that had horrendous atrocities occurring, people still did amazingly good things in the ways they could. Even while evil was happening on a large scale there were parts of populations who shielded others, helping them to safety and beyond.
What should be evident is in this world every good thing we have or receive comes from God. Not a god, but Jehovah God. The good that is done, the bravery, the going beyond ourselves everything that is good, comes from God.
The story is told of someone visiting hell and in spite of an abundance of food at the feast, everyone is fighting and starving since they all have long handled eating utensils.
On visiting heaven there is a similar situation with the abundance of food, long-handled knives, forks, and spoons, yet everyone is peacefully feeding others and receiving from others.
But in hell there will be no good thing—there will be no God.
“Revelation 17:14 These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they also shall overcome that are with him, called and chosen and faithful.”
