A Simple Gesture

Ella was at preschool. Wilson was asleep in the car. I realized I was somewhat alone for a moment. I took advantage of that moment and turned on K-love. I found a nice beach access with no other cars and parked. On the radio, they were talking about simple acts of kindness. Simple things we can do that can make such a difference - even life-changing. And it always seems to come at just the perfect time for both the do-er and the receiver. But we should know that it is God's doing. And it is all done in His perfect timing.

Jesus asked all of us who believe to, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven"

Matthew 5:16

I came across this wonderful, touching story and found it very much worthy of sharing. Remember that sometimes, a little thing doesn't mean a lot, it means EVERYTHING.

A Simple Gesture

By: Sharon Jaynes

(taken from http://www.girlfriendsingod.com/)

 

Today's Truth:

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today…" (Hebrews 3:13 NIV)
Friend To Friend:

My husband, Steve, was pumping gas. It seemed like he was always pumping gas. Living out in the country and driving into town each day required gas, and a lot of it. As he stood holding the nozzle and watching the numbers rapidly roll by higher and higher, he noticed an old 1992 grey Honda Civic pull up to the pump behind him. The car had seen better days: rusted roof, missing hubcaps, faded paint, and dented bumper.


Out of the corner of his eye, he observed a young woman who appeared to be in her late 20's get out of the car. She was dressed in medical scrubs and looked about as tired as her Civic. Methodically, she swiped her card, placed the nozzle in the tank, and squeezed the handle. Within one minute of beginning, she stopped squeezing. She then placed the nozzle back in the pump and began screwing the cap back on her tank.


That couldn't have been more than a couple of gallons, Steve thought.


"Is that all the gas you're getting?" Steve asked.


"Yeah, well, you know. Trying to space it out," she replied.


Steve placed his nozzle back on in its holder, walked over to her pump, and swiped his card. "Let's fill it up today."


"No, no. You can't do that," she protested.


"I already did," he smiled. "It's already done. See. The card's approved. Fill it up."


"Tears welled up in her eyes. "Thank you," she said.


"Now you have a good day," he replied. "God bless." And off he drove.


I just love that man.


As I thought about Steve's act of kindness, I was challenged to pay closer attention to those around me throughout my busy days. I was stirred to look for someone who needed a kind word, a bill paid, a burden carried.


Throughout Jesus' thirty-three years he walked this earth, he noticed people who crossed his path during his busy day. He noticed a small man in a tree straining to catch a glimpse as he passed by (Luke 19:1-8). He noticed a woman with a bent-over back sitting in the women's section of the synagogue straining to hear (Luke 13). He noticed a 38-year-old lame man sitting by a pool (John 5). He noticed a grieving mother mourning the loss of her only son (Luke 7). He noticed the hunger of the crowd after a long day of teaching on the hillside (Mark 6). He noticed … and he did something about it.


It is very easy to go about our busy days with blinders on - focusing on our own little worlds and ignoring the ministry opportunities surrounding us. But Jesus showed us how to pay attention, lighten a load, bestow a blessing, give a gift, help the hurting, and bind-up the broken. Listen, Jesus was busy! He had a lot to accomplish in 3.5 years of his earthly ministry. But he was never too busy to pay attention to the needs of the people around him.


Steve was my hero that day. And I suspect, for one young lady in a beat-up, old gray Honda Civic, he was her hero as well.


Let's Pray:

Dear LORD, open my eyes today. Forgive me for being so selfish that I forget to notice the needs all around me. Show me someone that I can help today. Show me how I can be Your hands and feet today. I'm listening. I'm watching. I'm paying attention.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

A Box of Socks

Do you believe that God really does hear your prayer? Sometimes I feel that the things I pray for or talk to God about are insignificant -- things that I almost feel guilty about praying for, especially when there is so much pain and suffering out there. I am so incredibly blessed, however sometimes I find myself asking God for the smaller things. I realized once again tonight that God truly does care about everything that is important to us, even if it does not seem very significant. I was reminded of God's love for us when I came across this devotion. If it's important to me, then it's important to God, and God wants to hear me tell Him all about it.

Enjoy this heart-warming devotion and share it with someone. You never know when a friend needs some encouragement to know God loves us and hears us, no matter how small our thoughts seem, and that our Mighty God wants us to share it with Him. He does hear us and says, "Let me take care of you!"

A Box of Socks

By: Mary Southerland

"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Matthew 21:22

My sister loves socks! One day, we were shopping and happened to walk into a department store where neither one of us could afford to buy one single thing. We were just passing through, on our way to find the bargains we could afford. With a sigh and a wistful look on her face, Betty said, "I wish I could afford to shop in this store." When I asked her what she would buy, she immediately replied with a smile, "Socks! I want a big box of socks. I would wear a different pair every day." I could think of several things I would have liked to buy in that store and socks was not one of them. I guess it is a matter of perspective. What was important to her was not important to me.

I sometimes think my prayer requests are insignificant and unimpressive to God. After all, He is God. Does He really have the time or the desire to hear and answer my prayers? Yes! The truth is that if it is important to me, it is important to God.

Each Christmas, Operation Shoebox collects and sends over eight million shoeboxes stuffed with small gifts such as candy, school supplies, small toys, toothbrushes, soap, and shampoo to children across the world. In Mexico, hundreds of boys and girls gathered at the church in a small village, excitedly anticipating the arrival of their precious shoeboxes.

Delightful chaos erupted as bulging shoeboxes, wrapped in brightly colored paper and ribbon were passed into the small, eager hands of each child. Wrapping paper was hurriedly ripped into pieces and tossed aside, a smile spreading across the face of each child as their long awaited Christmas treasures were revealed. However, one little boy dissolved into tears as he lifted the lid of his box and peered inside to see what he had received for Christmas this year.

One of the Operation Shoebox volunteers spotted the little boy and hurriedly made his way across the church to see what the problem could possibly be. With the help of an interpreter, the volunteer asked the now sobbing little boy, "What is wrong? What is in your box?" With tears streaming down his face, the little boy said, "Socks!" The worker instantly understood and assured the little boy that he could trade his box of socks for another box that might have crayons or a piece of candy in it.

Alarm spread across the face of the child as he vigorously shook his head and quickly jerked the box away from the now somewhat confused worker. Clutching the shoebox to his chest, the boy began sobbing out an explanation to the interpreter who listened for a few moments and then, with tears spilling out of his own eyes, turned to the volunteer and said, "You won't believe this!"

Taking a deep, steadying breath, the interpreter explained, "This little boy has a rare skin condition with which he was born. It seems to affect his feet more than any other spot on his body. The doctors have tried various medications and treatments but finally told the little boy that nothing will work and his feet will never heal unless he begins wearing cotton socks. His parents cannot even afford food for this boy; much less provide socks for their son. So, all year long, he has been praying for socks."

Socks were at the top of the little boy's prayer list. As a matter of fact, they were his list. The mere sight of ordinary cotton socks brought tears to his eyes as he stared in awe at the priceless gift in his hands - socks. You see, they were more than just socks. They were the profound answer from our extraordinary God to a child's simple prayer. One unknown and seemingly insignificant boy in Mexico prayed. God heard him and said "Let me take care of you."

No matter how small or trivial your prayers may seem, remember God's perspective. If it is important to you, it is important to Him.

Let's Pray:

Father, thank You for the privilege of coming before You in prayer. I want prayer to be as natural to me as breathing out and breathing in. I refuse to believe the lie that my prayers are too small or unimportant for You to hear. You are my Father. You are my God and You long to hear my voice. I will bring every prayer of my heart to You.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.


Now It's Your Turn:
Do you have your own "box of socks" for which you are praying? What is it?
Do you really believe that God will hear and answer your prayer?
Read Hebrews 11:6. How does your faith measure up to the faith described in this verse?
Today, pray in faith and see what God does!


Taken from http://www.girlfriendsingod.com/