Small Services, Great Blessings

Sometimes we're afraid to serve someone because we think that what we have to offer is too little. I cannot count the numerous times when I have done nothing simply because I felt that, if I was going to bless someone, I had to do so when I could offer a lot of time or commitment. So I failed to reach out to others in Christ-like love because I felt inadequate.

And I missed so many opportunities.

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The Day of Small Things

Do not despise the power of small kindnesses in someone's life.

Through one of my workplaces, I met an elderly man who lost his wife a couple of years ago. He is very lonely. When I went to visit him, I could not tell if he enjoyed the visit or was simply enduring my presence with politeness. (I'm terrible at reading people.) At the end of the visit, he cut a rose from his rose bush for me, and asked me to come again. "My dear, you are so special."

I had only been able to spare two or three hours from my week. It was only a small kindness...but it wasn't small to him.

You don't need to spend an entire day serving someone. If you spend even a few hours--or a few minutes--extending Christ-like love, your seed of service can grow into a great tree of blessing.

The Widow's Mite

 Mark 12: 41-44
And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 

And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, "Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living."

We often let lack of resources prevent us from caring for others. But our little efforts--just like the widow's mite--mean all the more because of that lack. Also, we tend to limit our scope of the resources available to us. If we would take a creative approach, we would see that we have more to offer than we first realized.

If you could have seen the joy with which my family greeted second-hand clothing from a friend, you would know the value of the widow's mite! Our friends must have felt that they were giving so little, but to my frugal mother who tried to clothe six rapidly growing children on a very tight budget, the gift was monumental. Although we adult children can buy our own clothing now, we still remember with great fondness those who kept us clothed through our childhood.

Consistent love

Which would bless you more: An extravagant kindness which is never repeated, or years of small, consistent kindnesses?

Those who believe they must give much if they give at all tend to tire themselves in service, and eventually withdraw. Those who give a little here, and a little there, as they have opportunity, build each small act of service into a tower of praise to God.

Too often, I have charged through the gate of service, resplendent with noble ideals and great intentions. And too often I have worn myself out and dropped out of the race. Don't do as I have done!

If all you can do is write a card, offer a half-hour of help, bring a salad, pass on second-hand items, or make a phone call, then do it! Your small services have more value to others than you could imagine.

2 Corinthians 9:7
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.