Yesterday, one of our neighbors was complaining that
another neighbor had gone away and not arranged for someone to cut her lawn. He
was threatening to call the city. After he went back to his house, my husband
took our lawn mower and mowed the long grass in the other person’s yard. He
also trimmed the boulevard in front of her house. A bit later, a pleasant young
man came by looking for yard work to do. My husband suggested he come back when
this other neighbor is home because she has a bad back and is looking for
someone to take care of her yard.
When my husband told me about the complaining, and what
he had done, I said it likely took less energy to cut the grass than it did to
grumble about it. This morning, God reminded me that He rewards even small favors.
And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. (Matthew 10:42)
The reading said that most of us are in danger of looking
too far for opportunities of doing good. I’ve thought like that, sometimes
wanting to do a big thing for God. It has taken me a few years to learn that He
is pleased with all acts of obedience.
Not only that, He does not measure them
the way we do. We look for that which impresses others (the complaining
neighbor was not impressed), meaning obedience to God isn’t as important as
personal glory or winning the approval of others.
Besides, as today’s reading also says, we can be “reaching
for rhododendrons and trample down the daisies.” That is, in wanting glory for
myself, I can miss the ordinary needs of people around me. In making chocolate
chip cookies for the famous football coach across the street, I can forget that
the kids next door might also like a batch.
Lord, today promises to be another busy day of downsizing
and trying to get everything checked off my to-do list. In the process, keep me
alert to those who might need something as simple as a hug or a cup of cold
water in Your name. In grace, grant me the grace to be a blessing to others.
2 comments:
Strange how you keep writing things about some of the same things the Lord has been showing me this past year.
I love and appreciate the encouragement.
Obedience seems to be a recurring "theme" in my life too... or should I say "challenge"?! There are so many opportunities to respond and act more than my usual. Praise the Lord that He is encouraging you (me too, by your comments!)
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