Are We Attentive?
It was once stated, "If, as I go home, a child has dropped a halfpenny, and if, by giving it another, I can wipe away its tears, I feel I have done something, I should be glad to do greater things, but I will not neglect this,"
These days, it's not hard to find someone in need of comfort: A care-worn cashier in a store working a second job to make ends meet; a refugee longing for home; a single mother whose flood of worries has washed away her hope; a lonely old man who fears he has outlived his usefulness.
But what are we to do? "Blessed is he who considers the poor," wrote David (Psalms 40:1). Even if we can't alleviate the poverty of those we meet along the way we can consider them - a verb that means "to pay attention." We can let people know we care. We can treat them with courtesy and respect, though they may be testy or tiresome.We can listen with interest to their stories. And we can pray for them or with them-the most helpful and healing act of all.
Remember the old paradox Jesus gave us when He said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" ( Acts 20:35). Being attentive pays off, for we are happiest when we give ourselves away. Please consider the poor.
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