People of faith often talk about our dependence on God for the many blessings he bestows upon us. It's easy to forget that God also depends upon us.

God brings forth grain from the earth, but it is the farmer who tills the soil, plants the seeds, and harvests the crops. It is the baker who makes bread from the grain.

God heals the sick, but needs the skill of the doctor, the vigilance of the nurse, and the encouragement of family and friends to return us to good health.

God watches over the poor, but needs us to extend a helping hand to people in need. He needs us to cheer the lonely with our visits and to comfort the bereaved with our compassion. God needs us to guide our children with the good examples we set. Only we can ennoble our lives with the good deeds we perform.

We are God's partners in making the world a place of beauty and peace. Each of us has a job that will remain unfinished if we do not do it. Each of us has love and compassion that only we can give.

God needs us, for we are all indispensable, each in our own small way.