Look left, look right—what exactly do you see?
There is someone by your side: a sister, brother, mom or dad, a neighbor, a coworker. There is someone who is right beside you. Someone with whom you can walk together, stand together, and become better people in society. There is someone who needs your help to rise up, to move to the next level. Our neighbor is asking for help, but we have ignored them. We have refused to help them become successful. They don’t want to steal from you; they just need you to take time and understand them.
I know some people are not worth trusting; they lose themselves at any point in time and misuse funds and the assistance given to them. They think only of themselves and not of the next person by their side, not giving a reason to see or know if they are okay. But still, we can try to help them. We can pray for God to change them and bring them back to their senses before they lose it completely. The support and the encouraging words from our mouths into their ears can, one day, change their mindset for good. It’s just like a child who is going the wrong way, and we, as parents, keep telling them: “Change, stop following the wrong path or group of bad friends, go to school, become a better person, don’t do drugs,” and so on. They may refuse to listen, but we keep on hoping, believing, and praying that they will change for good. That is what we do as a family, as a good friend, as a pastor, as someone who wants a good life for the person by our side. We sometimes want to give up on them, but our hearts can’t. We can still see the good they can become.
So, who is by your side? Can you help them? At least try your best not to totally give up on them. It may not be money or gifts; it may just be a prayer, love, a hug, or a message asking how they are doing. Help the neighbors by your side. Don’t neglect them. Someday, they could become someone better.
God bless you as you look deeply toward your neighbors.