Several years ago, Breanne was looking through Bryson’s backpack and found a note from his teacher. It was a note from Mrs. Nikki to Bryson. Breanne read the note and then sent me a picture of it saying, “I am so proud.”
Without giving me details, she said Bryson had not even mentioned what had happened to her. He simply knew the right thing to do and did it. I couldn’t imagine what it was about because he had just received his report card and it was good. I knew it wasn’t that, so I clicked on the photo of the note and find out more.
The note said… “Bryson, thank you for helping Kasey up when he fell today. You are a good friend! Love, Mrs. Nikki.”
Apparently, a little boy in his class had fallen and hit his chin badly. While the rest of the class ran on by, Bryson stopped and helped him up. Breanne was so proud of him. Glowing she stated, “I would rather see something like this than him make perfect grades.” I must agree.
I love this boy’s heart. It is a blessing to this family.
As I pondered on this incident, I was reminded of a familiar scripture found in Matthew 25.
Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ (34-36)
They asked Jesus when they did this for Him, He answered…
And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ (40)
Do you realize when Bryson stopped playing, reached down to get Kasey’s hand, and pulled him up, it was the same as if he was doing an act of kindness for Jesus?
Now, perhaps you don’t know anyone who has literally fallen lately, but I bet you know someone who is down. If so, perhaps you could lend a hand and help them stand again. Or at least let them know you are there.
Anyone that knows me, knows my answer to most things is this; “The Bible says….”
However, did you know that there are times when people don’t need to hear that? It’s true – I would have never believed it until I went through the darkest season of my life. People came around compelling me to pick myself up – reminding me of what the Bible said. Of course, I knew what it said…but at that moment it was not what I needed to hear. I needed to hear someone say, “I don’t know how you are feeling, but I am here, and you let me know what you need.”
That season taught me a lot. It taught me that sometimes we need to share the Word of God and sometimes we need to BE the Word of God. For that reason, when a friend texted me this morning to say that she hated her life and she didn’t want to do this anymore, I sought God before I spoke. I wasn’t condemning, I wasn’t religious. Instead, I stopped and prayed and ask God how I could minister to her best. He led me in the things to say and allowed me to effectively minister to her heart.
I didn’t need to tell her what the Word of God said at that moment. She is a spirit-filled Christian; she knew what it said. She just needed someone to love her and care about how she was feeling in that moment in time. In that way, with God’s help, I was able to reach out my hand and pick her up.
I get emails from a lot of people; they are all different and they are all going through different things in life. I try to never give a cookie cutter answer. I stop and seek God and ask Him to help me help them. I was reminded today, as I do this for someone, I am doing it for Jesus. Wow. What an honor!
Today I want to encourage you to pick someone up who is down. Ask God to show you someone who has fallen and needs a hand up. He will show you. Maybe all they need is a kind word. Maybe they need a hug. Maybe they need someone to say, “I have been there, and you will come through this.” Maybe they need you to take them to lunch and simply let them vent, there is nothing wrong with that. It does not mean they have given up on God, they are simply hurting. Once that hurt is released, they will feel better.
The longer I live the more I see what matters and what doesn’t. Helping one another matters. We should never be too busy to stop and help someone up. We should never been in too much of a hurry that we can’t stop for a moment and lend a hand. And we should always remember the words of Jesus. Whatever we do for them, we are doing for HIM. Today, let’s be a blessing to others and to Jesus.
