We Might be of Some Good to Others

My family and I were watching a portion of the Anne of Green Gables video series. If you have seen the film, you may remember the part of the story where the spinster brother and sister, Matthew and Merilla, were discussing whether to keep the orphan Anne. She had arrived and they had expected to adopt a boy and not a girl. Anne had already caused problems, and they were discussing whether to keep her or not. Merilla said, “Anne is no good for us.” Matthew then responded, “Well, we might be of some good to her!” What a response! So many of us are like Merilla, thinking only of ourselves. Why adopt? Why get involved with the needy? Why stretch ourselves? It is too inconvenient! It will be too hard. It’s not good for us! It’s not good for my family! It would be wonderful if Christians, instead of thinking about what’s good for them, would think, “Well, we might be of some good to others.”