Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.  Esther 4:14

“I prayed that you would stop to help me,” the woman said, as she stood by the spouting geyser created by a broken lawn-sprinkler head. I had interrupted my morning walk to offer my advice on handling the mishap, but mechanical help wasn’t all that she needed. “My husband died six months ago, and I just don’t know what to do about anything.”

Two things struck me about this encounter. The first was that God had brought together someone involved in ministering to those whose spouse had died (me) and this woman who was a widow in need. The second thought, much more disturbing, was how close I had come to walking on by–or even worse, crossing to the other side of the street.

I’m convinced there are circumstances every day in which we come into contact with those who need a special touch that we can give. It’s up to us to be open to these opportunities and to actively look for them. Who knows? Perhaps that’s why we’ve come to a particular place and time.

Dear God, help us to actively look for opportunities to serve others, to respond to needs wherever we find them. Amen.