What Are The Needs?

What Are the Needs?

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak.

James 1:19

Recently a friend challenged Kristin, Julie, me, and our readers to buy extra school supplies for kids in need as we approached a new school year. We took that challenge and asked others to join with us in this act of kindness.

Then another friend posted online about how her church was doing an event called the “Big Give” for those in the community who struggle with gathering school supplies. Each child would get a backpack and school supplies, but the church went even further, offering new clothes, winter coats, haircuts, and even a meal and games to make the whole day fun. What better way to help kids and families feel good about themselves and about going back to school than with these simple acts of kindness?

It’s amazing what we can dream up and do in community with others. When I asked Rachel, the organizer of the Big Give, how she came up with the idea, she said that last year she went around to the different schools in her town, sat down with the principals, and asked them what their needs were. She didn’t just guess or assume what others would need—she asked! As a result, she and her church put on an event that effectively met real needs.

Oftentimes we wonder what we can do, either individually or as a group, to help others in our community and show them kindness. One of the best ways to find out is to go out and ask. The Bible encourages us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. When we take the time to listen to others and find out what they really need, we can be even more effective by blessing them in ways that will benefit them most.

—Kendra

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Ask an individual or a group in your community to identify a need that they may have, and then find a way to meet that need.