We can be as the Samaritan on the road to Damascus

I'm listening to the April 2001 General Conference, and, as always, it is wonderful. President Monson gives a wonderful talk about compassion. He relates an account in which someone is in Salt Lake City, in a terrible situation because they do not have any money, don't know anyone, and do not have any medication which allows them to sleep, because of the speed at which they had to leave their home in Boston. They have not been able to sleep for days, and are barely coherent as a result. A elderly couple sees the need, and talks to this individual. They then pay, in advance, for food for the next week, as well as lodging. They also help obtain the required medical care, so that this person could heal. They were truly as the good Samaritan spoken of in the Bible. 

Now, we are not all so affluent that we can afford such grand gestures. I would love to be, so I could do things like that. However, each of us can do something when we are given the opportunity. President Monson talks about the fact that we all know people who could benefit from our kindness, and if we pray for opportunities, God will share them with us. 

Sometimes, simply caring for our families is what we need to do. Often, we need to be kinder to those we love. One thing I am working on is stopping arguments before they start. As soon as Kimberly (my wife) and I start getting into a heated discussion, I start introspectively analyzing it from my perspective. I ask myself: "What is the thing I want to do the least right now? Why don't I want to do it? It it because of pride?" I have found, at least in my experience, that it usually is pride which is stopping me from acting the way God would want me to. I have also found that as I ask myself these questions, that I am more likely to stop my part of the argument, and try to start healing. 

Another thing to realize is that we need to not limit our caring and generous acts to those who are of our faith. The Samaritan did not, and the couple mentioned earlier did not first check for a temple recommend before administering aid. Likewise, we should not. Jesus did not ask us to help only those we like, or those who we decided were deserving of it, but He asked us to love everyone. Ask for God's help in this, as well as His help in determining what level of aid you should give, and He will bless you for it. 

Truly, as all of us are beggars before God, we often receive grace when we least expect, and least deserve it, so why should we be limited in our giving? 

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.