In his journal, Henri-Frederic Amiel wrote this: “Life is short and we never have enough time for the hearts of those who travel the way with us. O, be swift to love! Make haste to be kind.”

Life’s journey can be strewn with difficulty. We have our hands full navigating our own journey, so being present for another sojourner is sometimes out of the question. The benefit of taking the time to offer solace to another person is that we take the intense focus off of our own obstacles. It’s actually very healthy for us to give our attention to someone else.

On top of that, it is the Christian thing to do. “Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.” (Philippians 2:4 New Century Version NCV)

A dear acquaintance of mine just lost her mother after a long and very difficult illness. Remarkably, she is spending time visiting someone else’s mother in a nursing home. She certainly has more than enough heartache to deal with right now, but she is sharing in another person’s life. She is offering love and kindness, although she desperately needs love and kindness herself.

It is good for each of us to remember that life is short, but we must be near to the hearts of those who travel with us, offering hope to those who need love and kindness so desperately.

“Be swift to love. Make haste to be kind.” And you will be showered with love and kindness when you need it the most.