When Goodness - Contemporary Example

A few months back, I found myself at a community center, volunteering for a food drive. As I sorted through boxes of canned goods, I noticed a woman named Mary. She was in her late sixties, her hands worn yet strong, and her spirit radiated warmth. Mary was tirelessly moving from one stack to another, ensuring that every can was in its place. She had been through her share of storms—loss, sickness, and uncertainty—but there she was, embodying the essence of goodness in action.

One day, I asked her, "Mary, how do you keep going, especially when life gets so heavy?" She paused, looked out the window, and said, “It’s not about me, baby. It’s about the relationships we build and the purpose we find in serving others. Just like Queen Esther, who stepped forward for her people, I believe goodness is a choice we make every day.”

Her eyes sparkled as she continued, “You see, when we trust God and lean into each other, we find a strength that lifts us. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. It’s not just about self-effort; it’s about community, love, and purpose.”

That day, Mary taught me that goodness is not just an act; it’s a relationship rooted in trust and love. And when we lean on one another, just as Esther did for her people, we rise, renewed and ready to fulfill our calling.