The phone rang one evening; it was a neighbor calling to tell my wife that she had found someone who had 250 basketballs and soccer balls to give away. “Rosie,” she asked, “do you think the ministries that your foundation supports could find a use for these balls?”

“Yes, of course!” Rosie was overjoyed.

The ministries were overjoyed too. For some of the children in their programs, it would be the first time they’d be playing with a new ball. And all of us were touched that our neighbor had gone out of her way to find a donor to provide these balls because she knew that they would be a blessing to the kids.

Even in times of general hardship, there can be a great gap between those who have and those who have not. It makes such a difference when people are concerned enough to see the need in communities that would be easy for them to ignore—and then reach out with the love of God.

Lord, I know in my heart that if I am kind to the poor, You get glory. Help me to be alive to the opportunities to help, which are all around me.