The note was attached to the door; the decision had been made.
At
nine years of age, he was doing what most boys his age did in the
summer: romping and playing. Until his sister noticed how yellow his
eyes were. She ran inside to tell their mother, who took him to the
emergency room. The local hospital transferred him to the Medical
University of South Carolina in Charleston. Two days later, he had a new
liver.
This family was our neighbors, but we knew nothing about
their tragedy. We only knew we hadn't seen anyone home for three weeks.
Initially, their youngest son did well. Then his body began rejecting
the liver. They made several trips back and forth to Charleston, and
each time we waited for an update.
During their last trip, my
wife noticed the local power company tape a notice to their door. She
knew what it was, caught the deliverer of bad news, and asked how much
the bill was. The mom had not been able to work due to the
circumstances, and the dad had missed numerous days himself. If $450
dollars wasn't paid by the next day, their power would be turned off.
"Why don't we take a love offering at church," my wife asked. Since
no one but us knew the family, I didn't know how the people would
respond. But I decided to take a chance. We'd had the child on our
prayer list. On Sunday morning, the church gave $406. When I announced
the total at the evening services, the remaining balance was quickly
received. As soon as the power company opened Monday morning, my wife
paid the balance.
Loving my neighbor is a good feeling-whether
they live right beside me or not. Doing so also helps me obey what Jesus
termed the second greatest command. Only loving God with my entire being
surpasses it.
Opportunities to love my neighbor-whoever and
wherever they might be, abound. But like my wife, I must be attentive to
the working of God's Spirit in my innermost being if I'm to see them. If
I live life selfishly, I'll miss most, if not all, of the opportunities
God sends.
Ask God to open your eyes so you can see opportunities
to love your neighbor.
Martin Wiles
Hodges, South Carolina, USA
