Many times a person’s actions speak louder than their words. Impressive sounding promises and claims are worth very little if they are not backed up by deeds. In fact when it comes to doing good to others, a person should try to do even more for somebody than he committed himself to do. We learn this good trait in this week’s Torah portion from our ancestor Abraham. When Abraham invited some weary desert travelers to stay at his home as guests, he offered them a light snack, thinking they would not be embarrassed to accept such a small bite to eat. But then he and his wife Sarah prepared them a feast fit for a king! Like Abraham, we should try our best to say little and do much.
In our story we meet a girl who lets her actions do her talking.
Coming Clean
Carol Linder didn’t know what to do. Her parents were coming home from their 10-day vacation the next morning and her house was a major mess. She really meant to keep the house neat but as she put off the clean up for “just one more day,” things really started piling up.
That whole day in school she had trouble concentrating as images of dirty dishes and disappointed parents kept swimming in her head. At lunch break Carol got an idea. She walked over to the next table where two of her friends, Jill and Marci, were eating and sat down next to them.
“Hi Carol!” said Jill “That was a great get-together at your house the other night. We were just talking about it.”
Carol smiled. “Er… well, speaking of the party…” she said, “I’m glad everybody liked it, but it really trashed the house. Do you think that you guys might be able to come over this afternoon to help me straighten things up? My parents are coming home tomorrow and…”
“No problem!” Jill cut her off with a dramatic wave of the hand. “You can count on me. I’ll come by right after school and I’ll take care of everything!”
“That’s great, Jill. Thanks.”
“What do you say, Marci?” Jill asked, looking at the other girl.
“I can’t promise, but I’ll try to come,” Marci answered matter-of-factly.
Later that afternoon Carol heard the doorbell ring. “Oh great! That must be Jill, just like she said,” thought Carol.
She rushed to open the door and was surprised to see Marci, standing there with a mop and bucket in hand! “Well, let’s get to work!” Marci said with a cheerful smile.
The girls set to work. Minutes turned into hours as Marci led the way, working non-stop sweeping, mopping, dusting, scrubbing, shining and straightening, until they finally stopped to take a breather. Carol’s house looked more like a five-star hotel.
“Wow Marci, I don’t know what to say. You really came through and saved the day!” beamed Carol.
It was nearly nighttime when the girls sat down to a cold drink. Just then they heard a soft knocking at the door. It was Jill. “Um, hi guys,” she said sheepishly. “I’m here to help out, but I’ve got to go in a few minutes, OK?”
“Well if you want you can join us for a drink,” Carol said, “but thanks to Marci the job’s already done.”
