We discussed at the previous article how a single act of giving contributes to all humanity. Benevolence is giving without asking. Remember that your giving is never forgotten before God. It would be eventually redounded to you or your family. It will be repaid to all humanity as well as our Gracious God will favor the benevolence and reward all humanity for it.
Reflect on the way you can offer other people help. You do not need much to be a benevolent person. You may just smile to people, ask them how they are doing, help a person cross the road, do a hard task for someone, give a sincere advice, save a person from danger or aid a wronged person.
Someone once said: while I was going back home, I saw a group of boys hitting a young student and they were throwing his books everywhere and then tries to run away. I went to help him collecting his books and tools, but then I saw deep sadness in his eyes. I smiled to him and he smiled back and thanked me. We walked together and I asked him about his name and address. I discovered that we are neighbors .I asked him to come to play football with me and my friends at the weekend.
Since that day, a bond of friendship was connecting us. We joined the same university. On our graduation day, my friend was asked to make a speech as he was known for his smartness and eloquence. My friend began talking, but he was a little bit nervous. I offered him an encouraging smile and he smiled back. He said: One our graduation day, we are supposed to thank our family and friends all people who supported us. Thus, allow me to tell you my story.
My friend began reciting our story since the first day I met him when he was attacked by boys. He said that he was going to commit a suicide, yet he didn’t as on that day he met a friend who smiled at him and brought back joy to his life.
He looked at me with tears of joy in his eyes and an appreciating smile on his face. I looked to his parents to find their eyes were glimmering with tears. They smiled back to me. Hence, I discovered the true significance of my first smile to my friend and its great influence on him.
On our journey, do not wait others to give you a helping hand.
Your inner graciousness would induce you to help others. Do not ever think that your giving will go unrewarded or doubt you will find the same help when you need it. However, you will find out that our world is full of true persons who help others with waiting for any credit. Maybe we cannot see them as we are too busy thinking about ourselves!
The little boy was standing in shame asking for others’ help ….
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
