Jump off the log.

Three frogs are sitting on a log in a pond. One decides to jump off.
How many frogs are left on the log?

I heard this during the children's sermon at church today. All the children answered two - three minus one - but I figured that's too simple so I thought the answer would be zero: one frog jumping off would cause the log to become unbalanced, or to spin, and the other two frogs would fall off in suit.
The answer though, was three. The frog had decided to jump off the log, but it doesn't mean that it actually did.

Many times in life, we know the things we should do, and we even resolve to do them: study, start a new diet, do devotions daily. But it all means nothing if we don't actually follow through and do them.

Yesterday I went to the metro station to put money on my farecard. Just as I was about to put in my ten-dollar bill, a man approached me and asked for some change to put money on his card. I didn't know anything about him except that looked a little worse for wear, and he wanted some money to head to Wheaton.
My first instinct was to find a way to talk my way out of it or to say no. But there was no way for me to do that - I obviously had money in my hand, and I didn't need all $10 for bus fare to church tomorrow. So I let him talk me through how to only put $7 of it on my card, and gave him the change for his fare.
As I was handing him the money, I was presented with two options: give him the change and some variation of a cut-eye for bullying me and then walk away complaining to my friend; or give him more than he was asking for. I was still a little shaken though so the best I could do was force out a half-smile. I told him I hoped the money would help, wished him a nice day and left.

It wasn't till later, after the shock had passed, that I was able to appreciate what had happened. So many times I see homeless people in the streets and just pass them, thinking that I ought to do something to help, or even just make eye contact. But I don't. Even though I feel for them, I walk on by. We ought to have compassion for those less fortunate, but what is compassion for if it doesn't lead us into action?

Yesterday's experience put me out of my comfort zone. It was an abrupt, unexpected encounter that forced me to stop thinking and just act. And it's probably just what I needed to wake me out of merely wishing, hoping and feeling, and into doing, helping, and living.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. - 2 Cor 9:6-8