Others

Dearest Ones,

I was inspired as I read the biography of a great man, General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, in England in 1890. He led many people to God by spreading the story of Jesus over much of the world. Through his efforts, countless homeless and destitute people have been fed and clothed. With the passing of years, Booth became a blind invalid. He was in such bad health that he was unable to attend the annual Salvation Army Convention in London, England. Someone suggested that General Booth send a telegram or a message to be read at the opening of the convention. Booth agreed. It was with great enthusiasm that thousands awaited his message, which read as follows:

Dear Delegates:

"OTHERS!"

Signed, General Booth.

Yes, that's all he wrote - just one word, OTHERS. That was all he needed to say. He was a man who lost himself in serving others. He gave himself away. We need to forget ourselves. Forget our own needs, our own likes and dislikes. You and I will never be happy until we lose ourselves in the service of other people. This is the secret of happiness.

Jesus died caring for the needs of others. No one ever gave us an example of caring for others as Jesus did while hanging on a cross. He could just barely speak - He suffered as no man ever suffered, hurt as no man ever hurt in those last moments - His own Father turned His back on Him. His own race crucified Him. His own city hated Him. His own people had nailed Him to the cross. Yet, when Our Lord opened His mouth, the first thing He said had nothing to do with His own pain, but it was for others when He said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) He speaks again. He has a message for us. He is still thinking of others, as he says these words to John, "John, please take care of my Mother. Mother, please take care of John." In doing this, Mary became the spiritual Mother of the whole human race.

Once again, Jesus speaks out of love for others, when He says to the thief at His side, "This day you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43) Jesus died loving others. Our Lord had learned the lesson that most of us never learn, that is, to live as we ought to live, is to live for somebody else.

I know of a woman so totally depressed because her husband had died and her children never visited her that she was ready to end it all. She went to a counselor, who told her to go home, bake some cookies and then take them to some blind children. While the children ate, he told her to read them stories, then listen to them tell about their lives. Quite soon, her heart became filled with the warmth and gratitude that comes from helping others. As she filled her days in helping others, she soon forgot her own troubles. Look around - does someone need you?

I was fortunate enough to see a most unusual movie, "Letters to God," the true story of a 9-year old boy with cancer. The boy wrote hundreds of letters to God, stamped and mailed them. The Post Office didn't know what to do with them but saved them. Although he suffered much, the child never asked God to heal him, but rather he always asked God to help others. He didn't feel sorry for himself. Through his letters, he changed the lives of many. It was after his death that others read them and realized what a Christ-like effect he had on them. The film, not the usual Hollywood movie, was produced in 2010 and I was able to get the DVD at the Public Library.

If I could ask every child in the world to memorize one poem it would be, "Others" - one of my favorites.

OTHERS

Lord, let me live from day to day

In such a self-forgetful way

That even when I kneel to pray,

My prayer shall be for others.

Others, Lord, yes, others;

Let this my motto be.

Help me to live for others

That I may live like Thee.

Wouldn't we have a different world if everyone treated others as brothers and sisters in the Lord?


With all my love and prayers,

Sister Francelle