“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16 NIV)

The mountains where I live are full of turning, twisting, narrow, curvy roads.  I was driving down one of those roads last Spring.  Days of on and off rain had made the ground muddy and hillsides mushy.  As I rounded a curve I saw that the weakened soil had released a tree on the hill by the road.  It was now laying on the asphalt blocking my lane.  I hit the brakes and slowly drove around it.  Then I stopped.  I knew it was only a matter of time before someone driving faster than I was would crash into that tree.

I got out of my car and tried to pull the tree into the ditch but it was much too big and heavy. I didn’t know what to do but God in His wisdom and humor had other plans.  Thirty seconds later a white pickup truck appeared and pulled over.  Out stepped a bearded young man.  “You need a chainsaw?”, he asked.  I said, “Yes!” and he pulled one out of the back of his truck.  For the next few minutes he cut the tree into movable chunks while I carried them across the road and dumped them over the guardrail on the other side.  “You never know when you will need a chainsaw.”, I joked while my new found friend smiled and put his saw back in the truck.  I waved goodbye and watched him drive off before heading back to my own car.

As I drove away I pondered how God had put us both in just the right spot at just the right time.  I felt happy knowing that I was able to help prevent an accident and sent a joyful “Thank You!” to God as the rain finally stopped and the sun broke through the clouds.

In this life you never know when you will need a chainsaw. You do know, however, when you will need a kind and loving heart.  And that is each and every day.  God is always seeking our help to make this world a better, safer, and more loving place.  It is up to us to answer the call.  Open your heart then.  Be ready, willing, and able.  Fill your life with a million acts of kindness.  Fill your days with countless moments of love.  Help God to help this world today, tomorrow, and forever!

Joseph J. Mazzella