Hello readers! This final post in the series addresses what we can do to take care of our kids from a distance. We have talked about how to pray both alone and with others, but this final strategy consists of tangible, visible action.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  (Romans 12:21)

The devil is real, and he hates us.  If he can’t destroy our faith in Jesus, he will do everything he can to keep us from fulfilling God’s plan for our lives.  Each one of us is called to walk in good works, which God planned for us before we were born (Eph 2:10).  The same enemy who lies to our children tells us that we are powerless to change our situation. He insists that we are unqualified to serve in the Kingdom of God.

As I started working on this series, I kept hearing God say, “Take care of my children and I’ll take care of yours.” I am sure he meant it not just for me, but for all of you.

At first, I didn’t understand who he meant by “my children.” Believers? Actual babies and little kids? As I wrestled over this, he reminded me that every human being is made in his image, and he breathed a uniquely designed spirit into each one of us.  He sends his angels to minister to those who will inherit salvation, not just those who are already saved. God sends his rain on the just and the unjust; he shows mercy to both the saved and the lost. In this sense, all people are his children.

If we have the opportunity to serve believers, by all means we should do it. The New Testament is overflowing with admonitions to love one another, serve one another, carry one another’s burdens, build one another up.  And it’s filled with promises of the rewards that follow these actions done in love.  We don’t need anything big; we can use whatever we have, wherever we are.  Jesus said that if we give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of his disciples, we will surely receive our reward. 

But we can’t limit our kindness to only those who are part of our family or who believe like we do.  We need to reach a little farther.  Jesus gave an illustration regarding the king at the judgment seat, blessing those who saw him hungry and fed him, naked and clothed him, who visited him when he was sick or in prison. “Whenever you did this for one of the least of these, you did it for me.” (Mat 25:40)

Look around yourself.  Who is one of the “least of these” in your life? Who needs something you can give? A smile, a kind word, a helping hand?  Ask God to show you who he cares about and how he wants you to touch them.  Give to someone who can’t pay you back, and the Lord will reward you.

Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender. (Pro 19:17)

For many of you, this is already a way of life; you rarely miss an opportunity to serve. Others of us are barely keeping our heads above the sea of chaos and drama and pain, and it’s hard to imagine how we can survive, much less help anyone else.  But we need to do it anyway.  Every act of kindness will enable us to lift our heads a little higher above the waves. And it heaps burning coals on the head of the enemy.

In the spiritual realm, every word and every action results in a series of consequences, for good or for evil. Let’s make all of our words and our actions count. Our wonderful Father will help us to take care of his children, and we can trust him to take care of ours.