I can’t say I’m perfect at caring about others. Honestly, I do tend to care more if they care for me.  Still, every now and then, I run into someone who needs a kind word, a loving act, a sacrifice on my part to bring them joy. When this urge strikes me, I’m all in.

Recently, I spoke to an old friend from high school. Fifty years have passed since I saw him last, and not a word had been spoken between us til now. We weren’t really good friends. We were just classmates with similar high school experiences and the usual interactions in sports and classrooms. When we left school, we never looked back. He went his way, and I went mine.

Our fiftith high school reunion is coming up, and I had the responsibility to call him to see if he knew about it. He answered the phone, and right away it was like we had just left football practice, chatting about life and heading to our rides. It sure is strange how this happens!

One thing led to another, and the memories began to blossom. (For my friend, they were in full bloom). You see, my friend is a bit washed out. His wife has alzheimers and she is in hospice. My friend opened up to me and said, with his voice cracking, “Bob, every day I go to hospice and come home to cry, she is the best person I’ve ever known. We had a great life together.”

So, committed to her care, my friend said he hasn’t had time for friends and conversations. She’s been ill for several years now.  I could tell he was both happy and thankful I called. Those of you who know Jesus, that is, know it wasn’t just me who called. It was Jesus. He showed up when I called. Some might say it was an alignment of the stars. I say every opportunity to help someone comes from the loving kindness of God himself. Just like every good thing is God’s doing. We’re just vessels  called for good works. Anyway, my friend needed that phone call. He, right now, needs others to encourage him, too. The love of his life is leaving him. She knows God and God is leading her home. Her time will be up soon, and her earthly love misses her already.

The lesson I learned from all this is to be there when God shows up. Listen for His voice. Listen, be kind, give of yourself as if you were in your friends’ shoes. When you hear that someone is going through trying times, call them. Go visit if you can. They don’t need to be your weekly bowling buddy, co-worker, or relative. It’s possible that you may not have talked to them in fifty years! Just call. Just go! You might meet God in the process. I did!