Small Things

 
TITLE: Small Things
DATE: May 5, 2019
TEXT: Matthew 25:40 – ESV -  And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
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The expression is, “Close only counts in horseshoes and howitzers.

That’s not exactly true, but I do remember a boy who was “close.”

I met the lad while we were waiting in the checkout line at the grocery store.

 When it came the boy’s turn to check out he discovered an unforeseen problem: he had candy and he had money, but the two didn't match. 

Having checked his pockets a last time the boy looked up at the checkout lady and asked, “How much more do I need?"  "Eight cents", was the reply.

Seeing the look of desperation his face I reached into a pocket and coughed up the needed eight cents.

When the boy looked up at me, he gave me a smile which told me  that I could spend the rest of my life distributing eight cents-es in all manner of causes  but I would never do any better than I had done that AM.  Indeed, If I had given him a million dollars he couldn’t have seemed more grateful, his grin of gratitude any more genuine.

The eight cents didn't cost me much, on the contrary, it emptied my pockets of change. As for the boy, he got his candy bar and we both walked away with a pleasant memory which has lasted a good many years. It was a small kindness.

We who have been saved by the Christ’s sacrifice; who have been recipients of the forgiveness and salvation which cost Him His life, need to be aware of these “small kindness” opportunities which the Lord sends our way.

Each of these is an occasion to touch the life of someone else with the joy which naturally springs from the heart of someone who knows Jesus. Each of these is an opportunity to reflect the love which we have received and distribute it to those who have a need.

And… lest we forget, the Holy Spirit has a way of making these little opportunities into a chance to share the Savior.
So, Daily Devotioners… let’s share the Savior in the little opportunities.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, my life is filled with small, fleeting windows of opportunity where I can be kind to others. Help me be aware; show me how to respond, so the light of my Savior may illuminate the dark moments of others. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html