A school girl probed the depth of her soul.  She wrote,

“I’ve been thinking much of this year about the importance of caring, of the passion of life.  I’ve often realized that it takes courage to care.

“Caring is dangerous.  It leaves you open to hurt, to looking like a fool.  And perhaps it’s because they have been hurt so often that people are afraid to care.  You cannot die if you are not alive.  But then who would rather be a stone?

“I’ve found many places in my own life where I keep a secret store of indifference as a sort of self-protection.”

This is quite insightful from a young girl, for don’t we all feel this way at times?  I’ve often thought of this but never stated it.  Most of the time we are left to hurt when we care deeply, but then when we turn a cold shoulder to others and don’t help them with whatever needs they may have.  This makes us as the Levite and the priest who passed by on the other side without giving attention and care to a man who was robbed, beaten, and stripped of his clothing.  It took courage for the man to stop and render aid.  He forgot about himself and his journey; he showed compassion to his fellow man who needed help.

“But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?  And Jesus  answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed leaving him half dead.  And by chance there came down a certain priest that way:  and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was:  and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him.  Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more when I come again, I will repay thee.  Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?   And he said, He that shewed mercy on him.  Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise”
Luke 10:29-37

Let us never be in such a hurry to not stop and render aid to another, nor to help those who are in need.  The Gospel preaches salvation, but it also preaches love for God and our fellow man.  Salvation for his soul and aid if he is in need.  Therefore we love our fellow man not only physically but spiritually as well.

“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar:  for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?  And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”     I John 4:20-21

“Always help someone.  You might be the only one who does.”     ~ Unknown

“Your greatest test is when you are able to bless someone else while you are going through your own storm.”    ~ Unknown