I heard a story about a young boy who lived in the inner city. He was about eight years old, and his family was extremely poor. One cold fall day, he was up at the local store looking in the window admiring a pair of tennis shoes. As he stood there, cold and barefoot, a lady came along and said, “Young man, what are you doing staring so intently in this window?”
Under his breath, and almost shyly, he said, “Well, I was just sort of praying and asking God if He’d give me a new pair of tennis shoes.”
Without hesitation, the woman took him into the store and very gently and lovingly washed his cold dirty feet. Then she put a brand-new pair of socks on him and told him to pick out three new pairs of tennis shoes. He couldn’t believe it. He was so excited. He had never owned a new pair of shoes. He’d always worn hand-me-downs.
After the woman paid for the purchases, she returned to the little boy. He looked at her in disbelief. Nobody had ever taken that kind of interest in him. With tears running down his cheeks, he said, “Lady, can I ask you a question? Are you God’s wife?”
Friend, you are never more like God than when you give, when you take time for people, when you do something good for somebody who can never repay you. Don’t get sucked into society’s narcissistic way of thinking—it’s all about me, me, me! You will never be happy catering to yourself. Real joy comes as you give your life away.
Do you really want to be a better you? Make a decision with me that you’re going to start being good to people. Pay attention to those around you—your friends, coworkers, relatives, even strangers. Listen to what they’re saying. Be sensitive and don’t miss any opportunity to do good.
Remember, true love is always backed up with actions.
