Doing “Good” because it is Right.

Talking with a friend several years ago I was told that in the Muslim Religion when one returns to meet his or her maker he is judged not only on the good and bad deeds he has done, but also on the times she had the opportunity to do something good and did nothing. I have no idea if this is true, but it is an interesting concept and worth looking at in our daily lives.

In my Midwest, Christian, “Father Knows Best” beginnings we were taught right from wrong, good from bad and kindness as exemplified in the teachings of Jesus. It may be too many years or I may have been sick that day, but I was never told that to overlook a chance to be kind or to do good because I was too busy or just didn’t feel like it was not the right thing to do. The emphasis was on" do no evil” or you’ll pay on judgment day. Often it was more immediate and I was left with a rather red behind. Steer as best one can on a good path, don’t do bad or evil and we’re home free. Takes a lot of work, but it is, as they say, a do-able deal.

Now getting back to this idea of neglecting opportunities to do good. This brings up all types of questions. No one coming to the aid of a woman screaming for help late at night found raped and dead in the morning. Getting wrong, in your favor, change at the convenience store and walking away knowing the minimum wage clerk will have it deducted from his check. Not waiting, holding the door for a minute or two for that slower elderly person following you. Not saying something complimentary to your friend or your child just because they are there with you and you enjoy being with them. I’m sure if you try you can add a few more. Go ahead, name a couple of missed opportunities you had yesterday.

I think it would be interesting if everyone in America started the first week of each month looking at every opportunity to do something good and doing it. It would be a great start. Shouldn’t be too hard. Just twelve weeks out of fifty-two. Somehow, that strikes a chord of the teachings of Jesus, although I suspect he would have gone for fifty-two out of fifty-two, but we know what we've become. Too busy, too self-absorbed, too goal oriented and above all else our having more, living in a bigger better, driving a bigger better and in general just a better class than our neighbors.

Maybe we should make it even more realistic. How about doing one thing. An opportunity to do something right now to help thousands who will never know your name.

As you know one of our projects is to provide free screening mammograms, education and outreach to women in our area who can not afford it. You may also know the project is financially supported by the Ozark Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Well here is your chance for today. It won’t even cost you a penny. Try this... Go to the Komen National website: http://www.komen.org/; find the opportunity to fill out a short form to be added with thousand of others and become what we call an “eChampion”. It is easy painless and cost free and now that you’re aware of the opportunity to do good… well you know the rest. You’ll feel a lot better if you do.

By the way… tomorrow drop by our website http://www.merlinfoundation.com/ and make a tax deductible donation to help a child victim of abuse or just pop that check in the mail right now. Hey, that would go a long way towards your first week.