I suppose we all occasionally deal with nagging doubts about whether we are really accomplishing anything. Are our good deeds actually going to have any lasting benefit? Is it really worth the effort?
A recent experience drove those doubts away.
A few days ago I visited a 2-year-old boy who was in the hospital because he was having difficulty breathing. The doctor originally thought that he was having a bad asthma attack, but a later diagnosis pointed to a serious respiratory virus.
My little buddy was having a rough day when I saw him. When he slept, every breath was labored. When he was awake, he coughed almost constantly. He did not like the IV that was securely taped to his right wrist.
I wasn’t sure that my young friend was benefiting from my visit. After a while, I said a prayer for him and told him and his mother “Good-bye”. Then, on a whim, I said, “Give me five!” and held out my hand. I didn’t really expect him to respond, but to my surprise, he raised his left hand and brought it down on my palm. I was happy to get such a positive reaction from a little fellow who obviously felt terrible.
As I turned to leave, his mother said, “Look! He’s waving “Good-bye” to you!” Sure enough, he was waving!
It got even better on the drive home. The thought occurred to me that maybe—just maybe—this precious little boy would have a lasting memory of someone standing over him and praying to God that he would feel better.
Yeah, it’s worth it!
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”—Galatians 6:9.
Jesustrek 