We don’t have to look very far to see need, distress, and people who need help. We are confronted by injustices , on our TV screens, on a daily basis, and our newspapers are full of reports of disasters and humanitarian causes both in our own nation and in other nations too.

It can be overwhelming at times and easy to shut off from the ugliness we see, albeit knowing we should try to do something, somehow.

As I do, I was pondering the enormity of this, and in my reading the Scriptures today, in the book of Galatians 6: 9-10 “So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.”

It made me see again that sometimes, as we look at the huge needs in our world, and as we try to see where our finances can help, even if its small, we can overlook the need in our home, our family, our local community of friends!

Oh I’m not saying that we should forget the needs afar off, but many times there is a person within our reach that needs our attention!

We have a greater capacity than we know … to be generous and kind. It may not even touch our bank accounts but be the generosity of a kind deed, a visit, and word spoken kindly and with honour.

I encourage you today… within your own world of family and friends and neighbours… don’t grow tired of loving. Don’t wish it was your turn to receive… but today, look for a way to make someone’s day better through thoughtful words, generosity in speech and kindly courtesy!

It may not relieve poverty on a world wide scale… but it may relieve the poverty of someone’s tough time and cause them to see kindness around them that helps them look up and move forward.

Small bricks? Maybe …but many of them build magnificent houses!