Day 3: the little things

Day 3: Living for others. It's hard. It is hard to always put others needs ahead of your own. As moms and dads we do it for our kids, but to do it for complete strangers? We don't know them. Why should we help them? How do we know they are sincere in asking for our help? How do we know they aren't scamming us?  Many times I have had this same conversation with people and even with myself. Here is the way I look at it. That man is asking for my help. I should never judge him or question him. He asked for my help and I should give it to him. If for any reason he is doing it for the wrong reason, he will have his judgement day. I will not have to answer for any ones actions but my own. Also here is a thought, we have no do idea when or where Jesus could come back. What if Jesus is the bum asking me for help on the side of the road? And then I drove right by him? Didn't even show him a concern at all? That is not what I want to be answering to when my day comes. Now after giving my views on the needy here is what I did for day 3 of my challenge. At the church I attend, the Harbor Church of NWA, we made care bags for the homeless last year. We took cheap canvas bags and filled them with things a person living on the street might need. Socks, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, chapstick, water, snacks and a list of shelters in the area with the number to someone at the church listed on it if they need someone to talk to. We have carried these bags around in our cars since last year just waiting to find a person who needs them. Today as I was driving home from my job I saw a person on the corner with the sign 'my family needs your help'. Your family! This lady has a family. I was so very happy that I had the bag in my car today and was able to give it to her. I handed it out the window to her and she said 'God Bless'. It was such a great feeling to be able to help her just a little bit. I know the bag won't go far but if she gets anything out of it at all it will be worth our time and resources we used to make the bags. I was still on my high from helping her when I got home to check in with Kurt to see what he did today to help others. He responded that he opened the door for someone today. That was nice. It was putting someone else before him and that is the point of the whole challenge. It's not about how big the gesture is but instead it is about the actual act. We don't need to spend a million dollars to help people. It's the little things. Opening the door for someone. Waiting in traffic and letting someone out before you. Taking the newspaper from the drive way to your neighbors door. All these little things can make someone elses day and it cost you nothing but a second of your time. So as we embark on another day let's try to think of others and what they need. You might be surprised at how something so simple can warm your heart and the hearts of everyone involved. Come back tomorrow to see what happens on day 4.