Thursday, August 4, 2011

Looking Inside Ourselves

"There are those who, in the same breath, pray for the poor and for the blessing of never encountering them." Richard Paul Evans

How many times have we heard someone say, "If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know," only to find that when we actually need the help, the offer wasn't a sincere one? How many times have we said to someone, "If I can help, let me know," only to renege on the offer when it is actually needed?
One of my favorite songs is Find Out Who Your Friends Are by Tracy Lawrence. Because the words of the song are so true. Only when we are in need do we truly find out whose offers are sincere and whose aren't. And only when we recognize the need of someone else do we find out what we are really made of. Will we sincerely offer of ourselves or will we turn a blind eye and wish the dilemma away, hoping it will fix itself without our help? And I don't mean financial (all though if that is your way of helping someone, then that is your choice) I mean being there emotionally, lending a listening ear, being a support, lightening someone's burden.

Man is that he might have joy. What could bring us greater joy than helping others along the way? It's all part of the experience. It's how we learn and grow. None of us can make it through this life alone, and each of us will be touched by the deeds of others along the journey. Why not do what we can to make the path smoother for one another? If we will only do this, it will make reaching our intended destination that much more sublime. With a goal like that in our sights, how could we not have joy? Think about it:-)

Suggested Reading

Book: Matched
Author: Ally Condie

About the Book
Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

4 comments:

Joelene Coleman said...

If we move the rocks out of the way as we go, no one else will stumble and fall.

Mandi Tucker Slack said...

That was a great post.

Sandy L. Rowland said...

This should be every writer's motto.
Being actively involved in your local chapter is a piece of this service. Thank you for a great post.

Melody Wilson ~SecretMae~ said...

I love this post. I think just as it is important to be willing to help someone in need. It is also important to be willing to ask for help. Many times people are to proud to admit this. This was a great post Jewel!