I was driving home the other afternoon and saw a car broken down on the side of the road. Beside it, another person stopped and was helping the family by working under the hood of the broken vehicle. I was impressed by this act. Helping change a tire, giving a ride to the gas station, or letting someone use your phone for a phone call is something that I have done; but crawling in under the hood to fix something is an amazing act of altruism. True; it could be someone they know but for the point of this thought, let’s just say they are strangers.
It made me think: how often do we do things for others? I will buy meals for first responders or military if I see them in line behind me or at a restaurant, but when was the last time I really helped someone? The book of Proverbs says, "Don't withhold good from someone who deserves it, when it is in your power to do so." Maybe we all could do a little more. We all know someone who could use a little help whether they ask for it or suffer alone. As we enjoy the fellowship of our Not Your Average Parish Picnic this weekend; keep this thought in mind: When you have the ability and the opportunity to help someone, it's important that you do so. You can't solve all the world's problems, but you can be a positive force in the lives you encounter.