“Let me know if there is anything I can do for you.”

It’s a phrase I have definitely overused through the years. Anytime someone has had a loss or experienced a trial of any kind, this tends to be the statement I find myself uttering. It’s not that I don’t mean it, and I certainly would be ready to give anything or do anything that was needed to help relieve their pain.

But when I was hospitalized with Covid-19 in 2020, I had an epiphany about this phrase. 99.9% of the time, people are not going to answer with a list of things you can do for them. They’ll simply reply, “Thanks so much!”

That is exactly what I did when so many wonderful, well-meaning family, friends and acquaintances asked that question during my hospitalization. I would text them back and say something like, “That’s so kind of you. Thank you for checking in!”

And the truth is, it WAS so very kind of them. Because I knew they would do anything that I needed to be done, and they would help in any way possible. They simply didn’t know how to help, so they asked for some direction. The problem is, I never want to put anybody out or ask someone to alter their schedule to help me. So, my response was simply, “Thank you!” (With that exclamation point in there to show extra gratitude and enthusiasm!)

This is where the epiphany came in.

There were a handful of people who asked that question, but then went one step further. They decided to DO, not just ASK. My husband and two daughters were at home during my hospital stay, and they had people show up on the doorstep and just hand them dinner for that night. Without calling. Without asking. They just DID.

Now of course, there’s always the chance the receiver of your actions may not particularly love the gift you are giving. But the point is, you are DOING. You are acting as the hands and feet of Jesus, which is exactly what He has asked us to do.

Several mornings during my eight-day stay in the hospital, the nurses would bring up a package from someone who just DID. Breakfast, a note of encouragement, a book, snacks for later in the day, etc., I didn’t ask for these things, but boy was I grateful for the people who just moved forward and DID.

Each morning, we should ask the Holy Spirit to reveal who needs us to be the hands and feet of Jesus that day. To show us who might be hesitant to ask for help or give direction, but who would be grateful and blessed by our support. And then we should just DO. Without waiting to be asked, or worrying if our efforts are enough. Just as He would do. Just as He did when He walked this earth.

Don’t just ask. Just DO.

Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”