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The loving acts that we bestow towards others speak louder than any words
can express. We shouldn't think that in order to brighten someone's day,
we must speak encouraging words. Many times a kind gesture such as a hug,
a smile and even an acknowledgment can help to change someone's day for
the better. Showing love is the main objective and when we do, the Lord
is magnified and shown forth through our positive actions. I encourage
you to be the vessel to which God can work through to lift up the broken
hearted and to encourage that one who was feeling low. Your simple act is
sure to make a positive impact. (John 13:34-35) (Galatians 6:2)
I hope you are blessed and inspired by today's message to be encouraging to
someone around you who needs to be lifted up.
MY LESSON IN THE PARK
About a year ago, I was babysitting for this 4 1/2 year old little girl
for the summer. I was out of college for the summer and it was the perfect
summer job! Maddie and I would walk to the park everyday after lunch.
Maddie loved to swing on the swings and go down the slide. She was a very
good hearted little child and she always amazed me at the love she felt
for other people. She had such goodness in her little heart. Both of her
parents were the same way -- they always had such a peace about them -- I
always wondered -- why are they so different?
That day at the park as I was pushing Maddie in the swing, we heard a
bunch of kids laughing. We looked over and all the kids were crowded
around one of the park benches. Maddie wanted to stop swinging and go over
there and see what they were laughing at. We walked over and a little boy
ran up to Maddie and said, "Come over here and look at this funny lady!
She is dirty and smelly and she is crying!"
Maddie ignored the little boy away and walked over to where the woman was
sitting on the bench. She looked to be about 50 years old -- though she
could have been very easily a lot younger. It looked like life had been
very hard on her. The little boy was right, she did smell and she was all
dirty.
My immediate thought was to grab Maddie by the hand and take her away from
this woman. I looked over and Maddie was already sitting next to the woman
and was holding her hand. The woman looked down at Maddie and she smiled.
For that split second this woman was no longer dirty and smelly, she was
beautiful!!! All the other kids finally left and Maddie gave the woman a
hug and she too left.
On the way home Maddie was humming a little song and skipping a little bit.
Her usual self, she was happy -- not a care in the world. I was waiting
for her to say something about the woman, but she didn't. Finally, when we
got home I could not wait any longer. I went to Maddie and I asked her,
"Maddie, why did you do that?" She said, "Do what Julie?" I said, "Why did
you go up to that woman like that and hold her hand Maddie? All the other
kids were either laughing at her or they were scared of her. You just went
right up to her like that!"
Maddie looked at me and said, "Julie, Jesus wouldn't treat that woman like
that. Everyone laughed and treated Jesus that way and look at what He did!
He died for us on the cross. Every time I see someone like that being made
fun of I always go to them and give them a hug and tell them that Jesus
loves them. It always makes them feel better!"
Here I stood -- a 20 year old college student -- supposed to be so smart!
And here was this 4 1/2 year old little girl who knew so much more than I
did. That's what it was about her!! It was Jesus. Jesus Christ who came to
this cold and dirty world, got stepped on, laughed at, spit on and still --
He died for us. I changed that day and the world now looks different to
me. All because a 4 1/2 year old little girl showed me what it really
means to love.
By Rita Wood
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Romans 12:14-17 "Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of
the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to
men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no
man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men."
Hebrews 13:1-3 "Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain
strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them
that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as
being yourselves also in the body."
Galatians 6:1-4 "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are
spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering
thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so
fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when
he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work,
and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another."
1 Peter 3:8-11 "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of
another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil
for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that
ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that
will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil,
and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good;
let him seek peace, and ensue it."
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: WHEN JESUS LOOKS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem54.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: THE REWARD
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony105.htm
In Christ's Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
