“Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.” — Proverbs 22:9
This week, I felt compelled to write about how important it is for each one of us to show love for one another. Today, for me, at 68 years old, I have loved this song by Diana Ross for so long. When it first came out, back in the 1980s, I was married with three young children, living in San Pablo, California. In fact, I had just become a member of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc., a business and professional women’s sorority founded at Lewis College of Business in Detroit by two sisters, Dr. Violet T. Lewis and Elizabeth Garner.
In preparation for my first national convention (we call it Boule’); I was asked to sing a song. My choice was this song sung by my no. 1 female singer, Diana Ross! My voice coach would meet with me each week to rehearse with me, in preparation to sing this song at the convention. Though I was extremely nervous, I did it. As I sang, I asked the audience to lift their hands and wave them along as we all sang together! During my rehearsal time, I had to memorize the lyrics. That’s when I realized the strength of that song. It is a very spiritual song. Let’s take a look at what the lyrics are saying.
It goes like this: “Reach out and touch somebody’s hand make this world a better place, if you can. Reach out and touch, somebody’s hand, make this world a better place, if you can. Take a little time out of your busy day to give encouragement to someone who’s lost their way. Just try! Or would I be talking to a stone If I asked you to share a problem that’s not your own. We can change things if we start giving. Why don’t you reach out and touch, somebody’s hand; make this world a better place, if you can.”
The next verse says, “If you see an old friend on the street, and he’s down, remember his shoes could fit your feet. Just try. Try a little kindness you’ll see it’s something that comes very naturally. We can change things if we start giving, why don’t you reach out and touch, somebody’s hand, make this a better place, if you can.”
Now that you have read these lyrics, can’t you see what a blessing this song is? It is almost scriptural. In fact, let’s compare some Scriptures to this song.
The first scripture says, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrew 10:24)
And finally, “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” (1st John 3:17)
As you go about your regular routines this week, think of how you can make this a better place for someone else. There are people in need all around us. We must open up our hearts and open our wallets and share what the good Lord has freely given to us. Try a little kindness, something that ought to come naturally. We must stop being so selfish by only thinking of ourselves.
We can surely change things, if we start giving. Why don’t you reach out and touch somebody’s hand, and make this a better place, if you can.
Lyndia Grant is a speaker/writer living in the D.C. area. Her radio show, “Think on These Things,” airs Fridays at 6 p.m. on 1340 AM (WYCB), a Radio One station. To reach Grant, go to her website, www.lyndiagrantshow.com, email lyndiagrantshowdc@gmail.com or call 240-602-6295. Follow her on Twitter @LyndiaGrant and on Facebook.