Growing Weary in Our Good Deeds

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:16

When you think of good deeds, what do you typically think of? For me, I think of generosity, of being kind and giving. One can be generous in their time and possessions. I see one doing good deeds when they pay for another’s groceries, spend time with a hurting friend, or going out of their way to help someone out. I see good deeds being done when a person invites others over for a meal, bakes them a dish, gives to a food bank, or even checks in with another.

Being kind and generous leads us into doing all sorts of deeds. And often it can feel good doing good because those on the receiving end are always so thankful. But what happens when they aren’t?

This is a funny story actually, at least I found it funny. One time my sister and I were in a drive-thru. I decided to pay for the lady behind us because I figured, “why not?” So, after paying, of course, the employee told us that our food was going to take a while and we had to move out of the drive-thru line and pull into what I call, “the waiting parking spot.” Well, in doing so, we could see the drive-thru line. While waiting for our food, we were able to see the lady’s reaction to our paying for her order. We could tell she was not happy. She looked right at us and just frowned. It was kind of comical to me, but I guess she did not approve of our generous act. And sometimes people won’t. I have had others frown at me, question me like I had ulterior motives, and just deny any offer of help altogether. But that should not stop us.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Galatians 6:9-10

Sometimes if we continually receive negative responses to our generosity, we may grow weary. I mean, realistically, who wouldn’t? It can be discouraging when we do not receive thanks or see any type of results in response to our good deeds and rightful actions.

But, if I stopped after that lady frowned at me, someone questioned me, or someone downright refused anything I had to offer, I would not have witnessed the other responses. I would not have witnessed that one person’s big smile or heard another’s life story of how they just moved out here and I was the first to give them something. I would not have received so many “thank yous” or “God bless.”

And though the positive responses are rewarding, just think of the glory it gives our Father either way! There are so many times when others see God and his hand in the generously good deeds that we do. Sometimes it really blows their mind!

So, shine God’s light. Do good things. Be generous. If you notice yourself growing weary, think of all the positive responses you have received in the past. And if you notice yourself hesitating to do good because you are afraid of how the other person will respond, just go for it. No matter how they respond, you are giving God glory and will reap a harvest at the proper time.

Have a wonderful weekend and God bless!

---

Featured Image by Gabrielle Audu on Unsplash