By Dennis R. Smith

Over the years an anonymous writer has left the following immortal quote and it has been picked up by almost every Speakers Source Book in the land. It goes like this: “I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now, let me not defer or neglect it; for I shall not pass this way again.” Dear Reader, please do not think that this quote reflects only on the end of life though it certainly fits that sad occasion.   I especially invite you to consider these words: “Let me do it now.”   I believe the overall thought of this quote reflects on the type of reputation that we are making at any given time in our life. It also shows the need to be kind to others. If in the past we have failed to render any good to others, it also invites us to change now and begin doing what we should have done all along. While this quote is not from the bible, this Grand Old Book backs it up with such statements as, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32). In a world of anger and malice those of us who wear the name of Christian would do well to practice what this article suggests and then do our best to help someone along the remainder of our journey here. There’s an old song in which the opening words tell us, “Each day I’ll do a golden deed by helping those who are in need.”   Amen?