Giving Way to Others

Every time I leave my rural home, I have to drive a few miles down a very narrow road. I have to go slowly around blind bends to avoid a collision with oncoming cars. When two cars meet, one car has to pull over to let the other one pass. And if the road is particularly narrow with nowhere to pull over, one car must back up to a passing place so that both can proceed.

This back-road driving reminds me of what it means to ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ (Matthew 19:19). Such love means being considerate to others, making their way easier and thinking about their welfare before my own.

Sometimes, it means I must give up something or delay my own needs to help another.

What a blessing it is to be open to the needs of others who might be in a tight spot and to find ‘wide spaces’ to help them move forward in their journey! We too are blessed when we receive the gifts others give to help us on our way.

Prayer: Dear God, give us a sense of the needs of others and a willingness to serve them in whatever way we can. Amen