The afternoon had been a whirlwind. I committed to arrange food for a woman in our Bible study who was caring for her dying mother. In between getting kids from school and dinner and thinking of a late night ahead with college kids, I raced around returning phone calls and e-mails, picking up food and whipping up a casserole. As I scurried around, I wondered why I didn't get the women's ministry at church to handle it. The food ministry exists for this very purpose. Well, I did know why I felt responsible. The woman was one of our own, one who always looks to the needs of others. I wanted to do it, yet on this particular day it seemed like too much. "I'm feeling very well used, God," I thought, "I hope it's all worth it."
Her husband greeted me in the driveway. "My savior," he said, "I get to eat tonight." We made small talk and discussed how things were going with his mother-in-law. Though I didn't know him well, he was forthcoming and honest. I was impressed.
I was nearly out the door when, as if reading my mind for the last hour and a half, he said deliberately, "Your kindness will be rewarded."
I was so shocked at what he said I wasn't sure how to respond. I'm not sure anyone has ever told me that before. I tried to make light of it. "It is no big deal. . .blah, blah, blah. . . People wanted to help. . .blah, um, uh" (Imagine a lot of stammering with a side dish of guilt!)
"No," he said, "it's a promise."
Gulp. Can you believe our God?! He got personal with me through a man I hardly know. He spoke to my heart when I needed assurance. He said, "I SEE."
"With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don't hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort." (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Every little thing we do to love others matters. It does not go unnoticed in His eyes. Whether another human being is ever aware of it, knowing God sees our efforts makes it worth doing. Isn't He something?
I wonder if there is a way to repay God's kindness. He didn't have to make sure I knew He saw my effort. Maybe I could show love to someone completely anonymously. I could be really sneaky and really nice without another sole knowing who had done it. It could be my special present for Him, a little secret only He and I share, a "Here you go, God. This one's for You." Sounds kind of fun, don't you think?
2 comments:
Tami, you're awesome. Thanks for the great words and a great reminder that even if no one else sees, God does. (And in fact, it can be more fun that way sometimes!) :) Great thoughts!
Isn't it great when God shows himself like that? You can't mistake that or write that off in any other way, that was definitely a God moment. We're all running around doing our own things completely lost in our heads when BOOM! There's God. Sometimes I pray that God would make himself obvious to me because I love those moments so much. And keeping something special just between you and God, great idea!
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