Whose life do you want to fix? Can you do it cheerfully? Can you do it without irritability? Can you do it without carrying unnecessary weight? Can you do it with joy? If you can, do it. If you can’t, help someone else do it who can. 

A man in the community where I grew up was going through a hard time. He had surgery and couldn’t work. There were no government programs to take care of people like that. Instead, people took care of one another. A couple of the men who worked with us boys at church took us along to deliver groceries to this man’s family. 

We were welcomed into a small home which quickly became crowded. The wife and kids looked like they were having as hard of a time as the man who had surgery. He came out in his bathrobe and sat at the kitchen table. We presented our gifts of groceries and our leader addressed the man and his family with some kind and gentle words. 

After a couple of awkward moments, we said our goodbyes and returned to the church. 

For some reason, this memory is in black and white like an old television show. 

Today we will deliver gifts and groceries to a family who is likewise going through a tough time. There are several children in the home. I’m pretty sure this will be a day full of color and laughter. There may be a tear or two. 

A pastor called a couple of days ago. His small church is struggling. The congregation is aging and dwindling. The pastor is Bivocational and is paying the church’s bills out of his own resources. He is $400 short of paying his own mortgage. He will be evicted tomorrow if he can’t come up with the money. 

Two pastors in his area have come to his rescue. One knows of additional resources to help him and his congregation in the months ahead. The pastor would like to open his church facility to another congregation looking for a place to meet. The neighborhood is shifting and he wants those who speak the native language of his new neighbors to join him in serving the community. 

Today, one pastor will serve another pastor and one congregation will empower another congregation. 

Once upon a time, a young man and his wife who was great with child needed a place. They ended up in just about the last place you would want to be in such a situation. We are not sure if the space was offered gladly or grudgingly, but we know that a string of events soon took place that filled the skies and the rooms and the whole wide world with everlasting joy. 

You never know when one act of kindness will lead to salvation and set off a celebration now and forever. 

We can turn these black-and-white days into technicolor joy when we serve with gratitude and gladness. 

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I will use what God has placed in my hand to serve others with responsibility and gladness.

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