Sometimes the busyness of life weighs in on us, and we forget that others have needs. Time and time again I have seen how my Amish friends show their community spirit by helping their own as well as others whenever there’s a need.

Hebrews 6:10 reminds us: “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown toward him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”

Our lives are really about relationships with other people, and one of the most important things we can do as Christians is to love, support, and encourage one another when there’s a need. This week I’m asking myself if I know of someone in my family, neighborhood, or community who has a need, and what are some things I might do to offer support and encouragement? How about you? Is there someone who needs your help today?

A few weeks ago the message at the church we attended was about how what we say can affect others, and the scripture reference the pastor used was from James 3:1-12. The things we say can either delight and lift others up or destroy and crush their spirits. What a person says reflects how others will think of them — in a positive or negative light. What a person says will either bring joy or sadness to God’s heart. Gossip is one of the most hurtful things we can do, and so are words spewed forth in the heat of anger.

Have you ever been on the receiving end of gossip? You know how much it hurts to hear someone say something about you that isn’t true, or even something you’d rather not have others know.

Proverbs 16:24 reminds us: “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” With God’s help I want to speak kind, soothing words to my family and those I meet. What battles do you think you could win in the area of the tongue this week?

A few days ago I finished a deadline for a novel I had been working on since early spring. It took commitment on my part to finish the book, because I had so several interruptions along the way. It would have been easy for me to become sidetracked or let other things stand in the way of completing the novel, but I knew I had to stay committed or it wouldn’t get done.

Sometimes it’s hard to stay committed to something because we become tired or sidetracked. But Galatians 6:9 says: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Our Amish friends are some of the most dedicated, committed people I know — attending church regularly, caring for others, and preserving their way of life. However, I’m sure that even they struggle with the issue of commitment at times.

The life of commitment, for anyone — Amish or English — means being steadfast. We’re committed to things we know are helpful to someone. We’re dedicated to things we know are important. If we are faithful and committed to God, then we’re more likely to be faithful to other things as well.