by Pat Nordman

People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." Anonymous. "Do not say to your neighbor, `Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow' – when you now have it with you" (Proverbs 3:28). Compassion cannot be timed. "Too little, too late" is a tragic assessment of damaged friendship. There is a proper time for impulsiveness. When we feel compelled to make a call or to take up a worthwhile cause, there is no time, literally, like the present to make of life a present to others.

Sometimes we weigh an action on a scale of what we call common sense until it becomes such a heavy burden and so one-sided that we decide we can't help. "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). Burdens come in all sizes and shapes. They may seem to be – indeed, often are – unfair burdens, both for ourselves and others. But we are all dust and the environment in which we all live is polluted and our loved ones die always at a bad time and tornadoes and hurricanes always strike at inopportune times. We're all in the same rocking boat of a world; therefore these are the only times we have to take ad-vantage of our opportunities to give others God's love and ours.

"The king asked, `Is there no one still left in the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?'" 2 Samuel 9:3. David was concerned about showing compassion because of his great love for Jonathan, Saul's son. And it was God's kindness he wanted to share, so his motivation was pure.

Kin Hubbard leaves us this thought, "Kindness goes a long ways lots of times when it ought to stay at home." How hard it is to love the unlovable, especially the home folks. The humorous footnote to this is that our family members may well feel the same way about us!
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