The Nearest Person (06/23/2026)

Years ago, I had a conversation with a very wise woman, my Grandma Lena. She told me that while we are called to love and care for all our sisters and brothers, the world would work so much better if we all focused on the person nearest us. If we all committed, worldwide, to caring for our true neighbor, the one right next to us physically, we would find that everyone is being cared for. I questioned this premise and asked about missionaries. She told me they were needed to stir up this outreach in every area of the world in the name of Christ. But she stuck to her guns about making sure those geographically closest to us were the target of our loving kindness.

The other day, I was reading an article on Mother Teresa of Calcutta. And I found a quote that sounded very much like this wise woman’s advice years ago. Mother Teresa said, “Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.” And it got me thinking again about that conversation of long ago and its application today.

What would the world be like if we all took care of our neighbors, those who live in our midst. If everyone everywhere was caring for those in their neighborhood, what needs we could meet: physical, emotional, spiritual, financial. There will be times when a physical or financial need surpasses what one area can provide and may need outside assistance but imagine what needs we could address with what we have at hand.

And who better to care for those in our midst than us who can see the needs and who know the people personally. Who better than those of us right there to detect the need by seeing and listening? Who better than those of us right there to bring a meal or share some fresh vegetables from our gardens? Who better than those of us right there to offer to pray for and with another who is struggling? Who better than those of us right there to see the financial hardship and find real ways to be of assistance?

Truth is, as I sit and ponder this situation, I can think of so many times when another has helped me. When I was very ill with three children under the age of 3, I got a knock on the door and one of my husband’s co-worker’s wife and daughter had come to take my children for the day so that I could rest.  They did that for a week. I recall how a friend who knew me well, knew I loved fresh flowers, brought me a fresh bouquet from her garden the week I was scheduled to have surgery. Her kind act not only gave me something to remind me how blessed I was by loving companions on my journey as well as the LORD who created the flowers, the giver and me.

As we continue on our journeys of faith, hope, and love, let us truly be present to those nearest to us. Let us seek to help those we encounter in meaningful ways. Let us be open to sharing our time, our talents, our faith, our resources with our sisters and brothers as the first disciples did in the Book of Acts. Let us show our love for our LORD whom we can’t see by showing our love for our sisters and brothers, especially those nearest to us.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.