Matthew 9:18-19 (ESV)
18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a
ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but
come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus rose and
followed him, with his disciples.
When was the last time you helped someone in need? It could
be you’ve missed several chances because they were disguised as interruptions
instead of opportunities.
Not long ago, a young man was running a quick errand before
an important meeting he had across town. As he hustled from the store to his car,
he saw a young mother struggling to corral two toddlers while muscling a
grocery cart across the parking lot. She looked tired and overwhelmed. He was
just backing out when it happened: She reached her car and broke into tears.
Her tire was flat.
He wasn’t prepared for this situation. He was running late,
and he wasn’t dressed to wrestle with a flat tire. But this young lady clearly
needed help, so he rolled up my sleeves and introduced himself. It turns out
she was stressed with good reason. Her husband was deployed overseas, and being
new to the area, she had no family or friends nearby. She was alone with two
children in a new and unfamiliar city. That day, he learned how significant a
small act of kindness can be.
And he almost missed it.
Whether it’s single mothers, the elderly, a coworker, or
your next-door neighbor, people in need are all around us. But the opportunity
to come alongside someone doesn’t always present itself when it’s convenient.
In fact, it’s usually an interruption. But that shouldn’t surprise us. Much of
Jesus’ ministry took place because He welcomed interruption. The woman who
touched His cloak, the paralytic lowered through the roof mid-sermon, the
disciples waking Him from sleep to calm the storm. Our challenge is this – to
keep ourselves open and willing because the chance to be a blessing most often
surfaces in unexpected moments.
Dear Lord, help our eyes and hearts be open to those around
us. Help us to not look at things as interruptions but opportunities to serve
others. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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