My sister and I were talking as she drove us to school. She mentioned special things she was doing for others that day as she rattled off what was on her calendar. “Why are doing that?” I asked, seriously wondering why she would take on even more with her schedule. “Because I can” she told me. And it opened up a whole new way for me to see the world and my journey.
My sister showed me the joy that comes from choosing to do good, from acting thoughtfully, from noticing the little things that can hold great meaning. I will probably never be as good as she was at doing it, but I’m giving it my best shot. My sister gave me a great gift when she opened up for me the possibilities of making a difference daily just because we can.
The LORD gave us so much. Think about it. It is all gift. We didn’t earn life. We didn’t earn time. We didn’t earn our “gifts.” The LORD gave us all this because the LORD can. Will we follow the LORD’s lead and give what we can, be who we can because we can? Will we notice others and their needs? Will we think of others along the way? Will we bless the lives of others with small kindnesses that are within our capabilities just because we can?
My sister’s lesson means more to me every day as I recognize that my number of days are not endless, a lesson we don’t really consider in our teens and twenties. I push myself daily to do things for others while I can because I can. They aren’t huge: a call here, a card there, a loaf of banana bread for one, some cookies for another there, a conversation here, a hug there. Like I said, they aren’t big. But they do matter, I have learned.
There are things we must do because of our relationships and our need to honor them faithfully. But then there are “extras” that we can do that exceed the necessary. I remember the leper who approached Jesus (Luke 5:12-13) and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” Jesus didn’t do this because He had to do it. He did it because He could. And I realize that the gospel is emphasizing what my sister taught me years ago. There is much goodness that we can do if we choose to do it.
As we continue our journeys of faith, hope and love, may we honor our relationships faithfully and strive to build them and strengthen them daily with love. And may we go beyond the bare minimum, the essentials, and do extra good because we can. May we use our time, our talents, and our treasure to do the good that will matter, that will make a difference just because we can, as disciples of Christ. He showed us how. He showed us the Way.
Until tomorrow, let us all love well.
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