A very wise friend of mine once said to me: “Carrie, don’t let what’s going on in your family keep you from having eyes to look out and see other people’s needs.” At the time, I thought the timing was wrong but since then, I’ve learned some things about a “word in season.”

I’ve learned that when we are most vulnerable, in the greatest need, and are stretched beyond comfort, that is when a timely word spoken plants itself deeply into the richest soil of our hearts.

These seeds of truth take hold and burrow its way down past the thought life, past the soul realm, and into the spirit. This is where we flow in unity with God. This is the place where the center of our being knows and recognizes and protects all truth. We guard these truths as sacred.

My friend’s words were sacred to me, even though they didn’t feel very good that night. Since then, I have repeatedly seen the Lord allow our circumstances, such as hospitalizations, coincide with another family’s need for comfort, healing, peace, or to hear about Jesus. All of these opportunities are privileges we all have access to, provided that our eyes, our hearts, and our minds are open and listening to the Spirit of Truth.

I’ve also learned that God is an ever present help at all times. (Psalm 46:1) I used to feel I had little to offer anyone else while I was consumed by my own trials. Worry and fear for my son would leave me with no energy to spare, let alone think of someone else. I have since learned that these are the very times God would bring another family into our lives, whose needs were greater than our own; to demonstrate His powerful love and unlimited resources.