Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
(Galatians 6:9-10, NASB)
“… do good to all people …”
We try, really try, to do as Paul commands. But sometimes it’s easy to lose heart. We smile and wish a good morning to that cranky checker, and she sneers. We write a nice note to our child’s teacher, and all we get is a “can’t you keep your child under control” call in return.
We cook our spouse’s favorite dinner, the one that takes hours to prepare, and he wolfs it down before plopping down to watch the game—not a “thank you” to be heard. We patiently listen to our parent’s weekly tirade, and then even more patiently listen to her complaints about us.
Or we volunteer to work on that church committee, and the first twenty minutes of the weekly meeting is spent sharing the latest gossip.
Oh, yes, it’s easy to lose heart and grow weary.
When I was a child, my mom would always tell me that if I didn’t let people’s meanness or selfishness get to me, often they’d stop what they were doing—at least to me. It took me a while, but I finally got that old adage: It’s easier to attract flies with honey than with vinegar.
Kindness—doing good—really does impact people. And I'm not saying we're to play the martyr or sigh in self-pity. If we genuinely strive to do good to all people, sometimes they’ll be influenced to do good to us.
Eventually, that checker might smile back. That teacher may say, “Thank you.” That spouse may cook for us. That parent may say, “I’m proud of you.”
But even if they don’t, we can be assured of one thing: Our heavenly Father is smiling—and He’s very proud.
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