Government can give food, churches can give food, charities can give food. Throw money in the pot and distribute money, throw food in the pot and distribute food, but there is way to throw love into the pot and distribute love. Love can only be given by individuals, alone or in the group. Jesus says to love your neighbor as yourself. How many of us give thousands of dollars to missions but have never bought even a potted plant for a neighbor?
Think of how well loved King David was; yet in Psalms 142:4, he says, “no man cared for my soul.” If David felt like that, think of how many people we meet who are crying out for someone to care.
Today I recommend that you google the poem “Please Hear What I’m Not Saying.” It is too long for this blog, but I promise it is not too long for your heart. It begins: “Don’t be fooled by me. Don’t be fooled by the mask I wear! For I wear a mask. I wear a thousand masks. Masks that I’m afraid to take off and none of them are me…”
So many needy people wearing masks, very rarely do they let the mask slip so we recognize their hurtles, hurts, and heartaches.
Spring is here; neighbors are out more. Do you know them? Do you know what happens behind their masks? Or, is your own mask so blinding that you can’t see?
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Title of poem by Charles C. Finn
Sweet aroma 
It’s an important point, Oneta. It reminds me of the old saying about people who love the world but hate people. “The world” is an abstraction. Individuals are quirky, cranky, misshapen, and maladapted. All the more reason to offer them love.
Right. People in general are hard to mold. I like your description of individuals. I’m glad I’m not like that. 😀
Say that, Sister Oneta. Rally the troops!
Let’s join together and “put on a happy face” to see how it might affect others. 😀
You’re on!
When people on the street ask me for money, I’ve learned to stop walking and look them in the eye, even as I explain to them that I don’t have any money to share with them (kids at home, some in college, etc.). Some are clearly unhappy, but I think many of them appreciate being treated like human beings. J.
A good suggestion for lifting someone in ways they might not expect. It is sometimes so much easier just to part with a five dollar bill when some recognition would pay great dividends. Good point
Very good point!!
Thanks, joyroses. Let me know if you have a chance to put this into practice. I’ll try also.
That was awesome
Thanks, Wally.
Thank you for writing it and making me think, Oneta, and bless you as well.
Lord help us to see past the masks and reach out to others.
Amen.
Great blog. Without love…..ie God’s Love in and through us ….all of the money, all of the aid ares only band-aids and will not touch the deeper needs within.
Great confirming point. Thanks.