A few weeks ago my five-year-old son Jack started complaining about his ear hurting. He already had a stuffy nose, and so we thought for sure that an ear infection was developing. After a couple of days carefully watching to see if he was going to get better, we decided to take him to the emergency room.

Guess what…no ear infection.

Jack had a rock stuck in his ear!

We’re still not sure how the rock ended up in his ear, but after a dramatic experience watching the hospital staff flush it out, the rock is now gone. 

Jack has healed just fine!

Here’s the point:

We can’t act well until we see well.

What we thought was an ear infection was actually a rock stuck in our son’s ear!

And if you notice, the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 also had to see well before he could act well.

He had to see the person lying on the side of the road in need before he could show him mercy.

And that's how it is for us.

We can't act well until we see well.

This week I challenge you to ask God to give you eyes to really see people in need where you live.

Who are they?

What is life like for them?

What are their needs?

How can you help them?

Just start>!!!

The following poem is inspired by the chapter titles of Wayne Gordon's GREAT new book "Who is My Neighbor?"

My neighbor…

is hurting,

needs help,

is someone who cannot help themselves,

is someone who has been robbed,

is someone who is half dead,

is someone who is naked,

is someone who is unable to ask for help,

is of a different race,

is a stranger,

is someone who has been stripped,

is a foreign traveler,

has been beaten up,

might require me to take a risk,

can’t walk,

looks horrible,

is of a different religion,

is destitute,

is a victim of injustice,

has been passed by,

can’t say ‘Thank You,’

is someone who has been wounded,

is someone nobody wants to help,

is lonely,

will cost me some time,

is visible,

is a victim,

is someone who’s been violated,

is vulnerable,

is a human being,

feels humiliated,

feels helpless,

is poor,

is someone I’m afraid to help,

is someone who is dangerous to help,

is someone who is discouraged,

is someone who might cost me money,

is in need of tender loving care,

is someone who feels defeated,

is someone… 

I am able to help.

Please take a moment today and pray this prayer of thanksgiving and commitment to God, written by Bethune:

“Father, we call Thee Father because we love Thee. We are glad to be called Thy children, and to dedicate our lives to the service that extends through willing hearts and hands to the betterment of all mankind. We send a cry of Thanksgiving for people of all races, creeds, classes, and colors the world over, and pray that through the instrumentality of our lives the spirit of peace, joy, fellowship, and brotherhood shall circle the world. We know that this world is filled with discordant notes, but help us, Father, to so unite our efforts that we may all join in one harmonious symphony for peace and brotherhood, justice, and equality of opportunity for all men. The tasks performed today with forgiveness for all our errors, we dedicate, dear Lord, to Thee. Grant us strength and courage and faith and humility sufficient for the tasks assigned to us.”