“If everybody got somebody by the hand, maybe everyone could learn and understand.” ~ Sebastian, The Little Mermaid
Diana Ross, in her hit song Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand), reminded us to “Reach out and touch somebody’s hand. Make this world a better place if you can. (Just try) Take a little time out of your busy day to give encouragement to someone who’s lost the way.” If we did that, Sebastian tells us, maybe everyone could learn and understand how another person feels and what another person needs,
We were created for that purpose, you know. Yes. We were created to be family rather than isolated individuals. Jesus called us brothers and sisters. He blessed families quite often. He encouraged people to love one another and care for one another.
Maybe, just maybe, if we took His challenge — His invitation — to heart, we would be a better people. Associating with others, we would come to know their needs and would realize that we could help to supply those needs.
There is a certain part of our human nature that is very selfish. There is a part of us that doesn’t want to help others, that doesn’t want to share, and that doesn’t care that others may be in need. All we see is what we want and what we perceive ourselves to be lacking. That is the part of us that we need to control. We are not the be all and end all of the world. Our problems are most likely quite small when compared to others.
We have to want to learn about the needs of others. We have to want to be open to their needs. We have to want to draw closer to them knowing that, as we do so, we draw closer to the Lord as well. “If everybody got somebody by the hand, maybe everyone could learn and understand.”
FAITH ACTION: Pay attention to those around you today. If you see someone who needs some attention, love, and understanding, don’t be afraid to give it to them.