Noticing the lack of response that had come from my immediate call for assistance to a service organization, I fell discouraged and was easily disheartened. I had been placed in charge of shaping the group to realize its essence of function. Yet, now, at my call for a matter of assistance, no member had responded for a matter of days, and I fell shaken.

Where had I let them down? Where had I failed them in understanding?

Then it suddenly dawned upon me how the Master must feel when we, His people, continually let Him down as we are placed with matters and opportunities to share around us in our lives. There have been numerous times in my life that I felt burning convictions to assist another, yet fear turned me away. I know that there have been times that I felt urges from above to give aid. Yet I idly gave an excuse of my life being busy or of not having enough money. I’ve had plenty of excuses.

There have not always been excuses. I have aided many times. But what is that when we think of the constant need around us? We, as God’s people, are called to serve others in the name of love. We are called to be a witness to hope and redemption as Jesus Christ has given hope and redemption, has given love to us. We are called to pass it on to the point that others see something different about us and want to know what drives us.

I’d like to share two stories about two people who went out of their way in a busy lifestyle to simply stop and bless me despite their harried lifestyles.

The first incident happened over ten years ago when I had a major blowout on a major freeway of Houston in a major artery overlooking a bayou. Stuck on the raised artery, and on the inner pullover ramp, I saw no way out of my situation. The mid-day traffic was getting more congested as it whizzed past, and I had not taken on the habit of a cell phone in that time of my life. That has been changed since that incident!

While sinking in my spirit, and heavily scared of the speeding traffic, an automobile pulled up behind me nearly instantly. Watching this, and knowing fear from strangers, especially unmarked cars, I was pleased to see a lovely lady appear of about my age. She approached me kindly stating that she was a zoo docent, and that she did not want me out on that freeway by myself!

In no time at all, her cell phone contacted the correct people in my life to pull into assistance what was necessary. Beyond the contacts, the phone calls I made, the lady insisted on staying with me until my family could reach me to aid me. I was dumbfounded by this, and certainly felt the grace of God. His hand was mightily at work on that day.

Due to this person’s service, I was not in crime’s way. I had my immediate needs met, and a stranger comforted me, as I knew the love of God. That, to me, was perfect service, and I have often thought that I was touched by an angel that day.

My second story also involves my car. I do love my car! Ah, Houston!

About five years ago, just before moving to Tomball, north of Houston, I was involved in a major car wreck from a reckless driver pulling in front of me. I suffered bodily on this one, and an ambulance was called. But I was not the only passenger. My pet was in the car and injured. A stranger who witnessed the wreck pulled over and ran to assist me. She then went out of her way to offer to take my pet to the veterinarian about a mile down the road! What grace and service!

My pet did not live, but the woman’s service and the love behind it did. That dear woman even called me to check on me a few days later. I was so touched by her spirit of love. I wondered if I could have done the same. Would I just go driving by when seeing a wreck as it happened?

Service. We are called to be Christ’s arms and hands. We are called to be His heart and His life to others here around us so that they may know the difference and be drawn to Him. We’re all He’s got!