LITTLE ROCK — We usually remember the things done to us, especially the bad stuff, and we usually want to get even in some way with those we feel have wronged us. It means we think for things to balance out, you do it to me and I will do it back - an eye for an eye, tooth for tooth and so on. What it really is, pure and simple, is revenge and about negative getting even.

I saw a sign this week “If you can’t pay it back, pay it forward.” If we look at our “getting even” in this way, we can see this is a positive way of looking at things because it’s about gratitude, in spite of how we are treated.

This started me thinking about some of the people who made a difference in my life - usually as a child - and I thought, “Did I even think about saying thanks for those who did good things for me?” and I realized, no, probably not.

Most of those people are gone now and there’s no way can I do something nice for them, but that sign reminded me that I could do something nice for some one else and in so doing, not only pass on the good done for/to me but also to overcome the negative things I experienced.

That is what Jesus did: He paid it forward in spite of how He was treated.

He did something nice for us before we were even born. Have I said to Him “thank you?” Many times, and there is no way can I ever pay him back for what He has done but I can do something nice for someone else. I can tell them about Jesus and how he paid the debt for all.

We can “pay it forward” by helping other ministriesin so many ways. We can give to food banks, the Salvation Army, Cookson Hills, Mercy Ships, Heifer International and to ministries that make solar cookers for refugee camps, just to name a few.

Also, you might consider that person who lives next door or just down the street, maybe their car is broken down or they just need someone to watch their kids, their animals or their ailing parents while they are gone to town.

Perhaps you can give them clothes that your kids have grown out of or a few bucks or a little food to help out.

Maybe you can help pay or pay their electric, gas, water, phone bill or give them the gas to get to work. Sometimes people only just need a little help on the road they’re traveling on; they’re almost over the hump and just need a bit of a boost to get over the top. You can always pray for someone who is sick, scared, grieving, alone, afraid, hungry, tired or broke.

I know that we can never “get even” with God, but we can pay it forward.

Think about it, what can we do? Start with remembering to be grateful and thankful and just be nice to someone.

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Charlie Newman is pastor of Avoca Christian Church.

To contact him, write in care of The Times at prtnews@ nwaonline.com or P.O. Box 25, Pea Ridge, AR 72751.

Church, Pages 2 on 06/02/2010