Invest in the best

Some of you kindhearted souls are quick to jump in and help whenever you see someone in need. Being caring and compassionate are wonderful qualities, but it’s also important to be realistic. Don’t overextend yourself to the neglect of your primary responsibilities or to the point of feeling overwhelmed and giving up. You can avoid this pitfall by being careful and prayerful about what you commit to do for others.
Your time and resources are limited, so you need to invest them wisely. When you see a needy situation that could turn out to be a costly or long-term project, consult with Me and get My perspective before you commit yourself to helping. You need My help to see things in the proper perspective, because if you don’t, you won’t be as effective as you could be. You might get deeply immersed in one project, only to find that there is a needier situation just around the corner. Or if you try to “run on empty,” you won’t get far or be much help to anyone.
Keep in mind, too, that sometimes when someone is struggling, while there may be something you could do to help, I might know that it’s actually better for the person to work through the problem with only Me to lean on. Or I may know that someone else is in a better position to help that person than you. This is sometimes hard to accept, but in some situations the best thing to do is to step back—to pray for the one who is struggling but not to get involved beyond that.
Recognizing a need is only an indication of what I might want you to do. Check with Me before getting involved, because I may have a better plan.

Make time for people

It’s easy to be a good person, but still be wrapped up in your own little world. After all, you already have more work and other responsibilities than you feel you can keep up with. It’s no surprise that there’s so little time for reaching out to others.
When I was on earth, I was also a busy man, especially during My public ministry. I had only about three and a half years to accomplish My mission, but I still took time for people—even some who others thought weren’t worth My time. I let the children come to Me. I talked with the Samaritan woman at the well. I noticed Zacchaeus up in the tree and asked to spend the evening with him in his house. I also took time to personally encourage a thousand others—conversations so numerous and seemingly everyday that they didn’t make it into the Gospels, yet each had a big impact on someone’s life. If I could take the time to stop and show a little love and kindness and understanding to those around Me, you can too.
As you show love in the little things, I will pour more of My love into you, so you will have more to give and more to enjoy. You’ll find this “extra” giving of yourself is really no sacrifice at all. I will more than make it up to you in added inspiration and other blessings, and so will those you make time for.