Be a Light in Someone's Plight

By doing that, we give others more than we think.

People say there isn’t much we can do about inhumanity.

While I understand what they say, I disagree.

There is much we can do about the cruelty we see.

We can help people in their plight.

Listen.

Hear their struggle.

Never interrupt their tears.

Let them come.

They are their release.

Feel with our hearts.

See with our eyes the signs of their despair.

Tell them we care not just with words but with our actions, too.

An outstretched hand

An understanding heart

Sit and talk with them while they eat.

Caring.

Offering to help where we can

Being there through their circumstances.

Sharing some of our time.

Listening more than we speak.

You can be a light in someone’s plight.

Help them as they grapple with life’s heavy load.

Reassure them they aren’t alone.

It won’t fix inhumanity, but it will do this.

You will know you are doing what you can.

An encouraging word

An open heart

Tolerance in intolerance

Understanding in misunderstanding

Kindness in unkindness

Sensitivity in insensitivity

Love in the hate

Unity in division

Justice in injustice

Equality in inequality

Nonviolence in the violence

If we strive, with light in our souls, to do these things, we do much to address the inhumanity around us.

You won’t repair the injustices of this world that have taken thousands of years to entrench themselves.

Do what you can.

That’s all any of us can do.

While you do that, know you don’t do it alone.

Light is with you in the darkness you see.

It adds to your humanity.

You are a gift from God to the weary.

There have been and are times I’ve cried out to God and said, “Father, three days of food seems so little to offer the needy.” Food banks were meant to be a temporary measure. They have become part of the infrastructure. It was never meant to be that way. I feel helpless to do anything meaningful to help those who come for assistance.”

God listened.

He let me pour out my helplessness.

When many tears ended, He said to me, “Kevin, you left out something important.”

What’s that. Lord?

With the seemingly little food you give, you offer something more: your heart. That’s where compassion starts. I never expect people to solve the world’s problems on their own. Do all you can for those I bring your way.”

That lifted much, if not all, of my concern for others.

We will feel that what we do to be there for others fails to meet the enormity of the need.

Let that spur us on to work together on solutions.

We can always do better.

Life hits many hard.

Perhaps it’s that way for you.

I offer this thought.

Allow yourself to be given to.

Because God loves you, too.

Dr. Kevin Osborne is a chaplain, therapist, writer, poet, and singer. He helps people in their inner healing journey. Dr. Osborne and Karen Osborne live in Timmins, northern Ontario, Canada. Karen has a B.A. in clinical Christian Counseling from St. James the Elder University. She is a counselor, writer, and editor. Kevin and Karen enjoy reading passages from books to one another over coffee and a sweet treat and discussing what they are reading.