First Baptist Church of Herndon

Anything?

Linda Soller | Aug 26, 2024

You’ve all been there. You’re sitting at a traffic light, and someone is in the median with a sign. They are doing what most people refer to as begging. Sometimes they have a big sign, and sometimes there’s a lot of information on the sign. You feel bad for them, but you may or may not give them money. Sometimes you read the sign and sometimes you avoid making eye contact. It was a lovely day. I sat in my car and a woman held just such a sign. Her’s simply said, “Anything helps”. She was speaking to people as she walked toward my car and this time, without hesitation, I gave her money. Something about her sign struck me as different. She wasn’t telling me who depended on her, or what she would do with the money, and she was actively engaging the people who gave her money. Her sign communicated so much.

Too often we think we need to solve the problems of the world and if we can’t, well then maybe we just don’t do anything. How often do we forget that anything we do can help. Any money we give, any time we contribute, any gifts we put to use, any prayers we say, anything helps. Maybe we need to focus less on the outcome and more on the process. Maybe we need to think, as this woman was thinking, and realize positive contributions are helpful no matter how large or small.

I handed her my money. She said in return, “love your family and never forget your blessings.” I responded with, “may God bless you, please take care.” As I drove away, I felt like I could have given more, I could have said something more profound, but then I remembered, anything helps.

Be kind, be brave, have faith!  : )   Linda