Mike sent a great story. I hope it makes you smile.
A man writing at the post office desk was approached by an older fellow with a postcard in his hand. The old man said, “Sir, I’m sorry to bother you but could you address this post card for me? My arthritis is acting up today and I can’t even hold a pen.”
“Certainly sir,’ said the younger man, “I’d be glad to.”
He wrote out the address and also agreed to write a short message and sign the card for the man. Finally, the younger man asked, “Now, is there anything else I can do for you?”
The old fellow thought about it for a moment and said, “Yes, at the end could you just add, ‘PS: Please excuse the sloppy hand-writing.’?”
Mike’s story reminds me of the phrase, “No good deed goes unpunished.” Sadly, there’s a small grain of truth to that saying. This got me thinking.
If doing good deeds doesn’t always end in personal gratification, why do them? Wouldn’t it be easier not to care or be concerned about the plight of others? Wouldn’t it simplify life?
From a purely practical point of view, doing good deeds is a complete waste of time, money, and effort. It didn’t work out too well for Jesus. He did good deeds all the time and got nailed to a cross. So why do them?
We work to make a difference in this world and lighten the heavy burdens others carry because it is God’s will. This is the driving force for everything we do.
That’s why the writer of Hebrews said, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 13:16)
If you are a member of our church, one of the ways you make life easier for others, is by giving your money.
If you are a member of our church, yesterday you helped keep a roof over the heads of a scared family that has lost all their income through no fault of their own. You also provided shelter for a woman whose husband is hospitalized with leukemia. In addition, you helped a man who was recently released from prison get on his feet in order to become a productive part of society. And even though you will probably never meet these people, you did this. You made God smile.
There are millions of ways to do good deeds, from holding open a door, changing a flat tire, buy gifts for children from the Angel Tree, volunteering at the food bank, visiting the sick, making repairs on a shut-in’s home, donating your extra clothing to a clothes closet, giving a hamburger to the man holding a sign asking for food, handing out bags of food from our church, the list goes on and on……
Today, in a grand or small way, be intentional about doing good deeds. And while you may not hear someone say thank you or get any instant gratification for your effort, God sees. That’s all that truly matters.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, open my eyes to the needs around me. Help me make this world an easier place for those who struggle. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
It is a new day with new opportunities. Make the most of it.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 