Wednesday, August 11, 1999
Wednesday, August 11, 1999
May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.
Charles L. Allen once told of a man who went in search of a flower called hearts ease. Upon every
road he took, however, he found an obstacle blocking his progress. That obstacle was his
brother's burden. At last in desperation he decided to lift that unwelcome obstacle, because he
could continue his search in no other way. Then to his utter amazement, he found the lovely
flower of hearts ease blooming under the burden he lifted.
There is the great secret to life. Help others and ultimately we help ourselves.
Ronald Newhouse, Texas, USA
(Jude 1:2
NRSV)
Love God and love your neighbor and you will live. Doctors know it is true. Love for God and
one's neighbor is the healthiest thing you can do for yourself. Time after time it has been proven.
Men and women who keep to themselves, even those in good physical health, are more likely to
die prematurely than are those whose lives are linked to others. Even more impressive are studies
that show we benefit physically and emotionally from helping those less fortunate than ourselves.
Dr. Hans Selye, an authority on stress, calls this kind of service to others "self-serving altruism"
because the pleasure one receives from such an activity often adds more to the inner quality of the
helper than it does the person who is helped.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the gift of love. Amen.
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