When my husband and I were first married twenty-one years ago we struggled financially, as many young couples do. We lived day by day. Paycheck to paycheck. Trusting in God's provision and not telling anyone of our need. There was one particular time when we honestly didn't know how we were going to buy food for the coming few weeks after we'd paid rent and bills, so we asked God for help and prepared a lot of macaroni and cheese.

Not long after that prayer, I came home from work to discover a plain white envelope had been pushed under our front door, waiting for one of us to find it. There was no note or any indication of who had delivered the anonymous mail, but what we discovered inside was $100. Talk about a shocker. The gift helped us buy groceries for several weeks. We trusted God to provide and He did ... because someone was obedient to a nudge He'd put on their heart. Whoever our benefactor was, they knew how to love God and love people.

Since that time, my husband and I have always tried to reach out and help others in need whenever we could. Buying extra groceries for a friend. Letting a struggling family live with us for a few weeks. Opening our home to Christian bands performing in the area who couldn't afford lodging for the night. Buying a meal for a stranger holding a sign in the street.

Simple things. Yet when we put our focus on loving God first, and loving people, more and more opportunities ... or Holy Spirit nudges ... seem to become noticeable. There are things we can do every day to be more like Jesus. Think of the witness it could send to our neighbors, family, friends, and strangers if we unconditionally lent a helping hand simply because of a shift in focus to love God and love people.

Here are some suggestions:

• Provide clothing for a family in need.
• Bake cookies for a teacher, neighbor, co-worker...just because.
• Visit the elderly.
• Leave a bouquet of flowers on someone's doorstep.
• Hand out bottles of water on a hot summer's day.
• Volunteer for service at your church or local worship establishment.
• Smile at everyone you pass on the street.
• Be patient with a clerk in a store, especially when it's busy.
• Volunteer at a hospital.
• Be a mentor for troubled youth.
• Pick up litter on a neighborhood street.
• Volunteer to read to children at the library.
• Open the door for someone.
• Help your spouse with a household chore without being asked.
• Help a neighbor carry in their packages or groceries.

Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.'" —Matthew 22:37-40

Copyright © by Kristine McGuire Share