“What are you doing for Him?”
Today’s post is written by Bethany from ‘Raindrops & Rainbows‘. Bethany will join the team on a regular basis starting in October. Welcome Bethany 😛 …
Has anyone ever done something for you that you have remembered it your entire life?
Recently my Mom told me she had added a new friend to her Facebook list, Rodney, a guy she’d known since elementary school. He emailed her and told her he remembered her and their time in school together. He also shared a memory he had of her. He said in an email (which he gave me permission to use), “ I remember I had a Birthday party when I was in the 2nd or 3rd grade. I remember inviting the entire class, but only you and Clenard from school came. I was so devastated. That I cried like a baby. It was my first birthday party as a kid. I remember you gave me a book of life savers candies. That is a very special memory that I will never forget. Thanks!!!!”
I remember when I was growing up my Mom told me about Rodney. Whenever we looked at pictures she would point him out and tell me about going to his birthday party. She remembered that she was the only white person there and she didn’t know why others from her class hadn’t come. She remembered Rodney’s mother walking to the car and hugging her mother, thanking her for letting Mom come to the party. It was something from her childhood that stuck out in her mind, but she never knew that it had been a special memory in Rodney’s mind as well.
As I think of this story and my Mom finding out years later that Rodney remembers her coming to his birthday party, I’m reminded that each day we never know the lives we are touching. Something we do may help someone else, and they will remember it for the rest of their life.
In Matthew 25:34-40 we read:
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
What you do or say may feel insignificant in your mind at the time. Maybe it’s just something you do naturally. Maybe you think no one notices what you do. It doesn’t matter who it’s for… whether a classmate, your sister, the homeless man at the corner, the cashier at the grocery store, your coworker, the president of your company…Jesus is watching and is pleased when we give to others and show His love. We’re really doing it for Him.
Have a day of blessings!
I’d love for you to visit me at Raindrops & Rainbows.
Bethany, you are following in your Mother’s footsteps and ultimately the Lord’s. Thank YOU for the kindnesses you have shown to my family and extended family this year. We won’t know this side of eternity the full effect of all those simple cards and notes to my parents.
You are a precious treasure. I’m thankful the Lord has us walking the same path.
Blessings, my friend.
Reading this made me smile for a couple reasons. First, the memory is and will always be very special to me. I have always considered Rodney my friend and having him contact me on Facebook was a special surprise!
Second, it’s such a blessing to see the amazing way you can write from your heart and share things that obviously will speak to the hearts of those who read it! I am SO proud of you! I love you!
Sweet Bethany, you have this kind of heart. I’ve sensed it in all of your writings and how you are so thankful. This is love in action; not just with words. Walking your talk! I love this devotional. It is simple but very profound and each one of us should remember how your mom’s act blessed Rodney. There are Rodney’s all around us, if we just allow God to show us and then obey.
What a awesome reminder to ask the Lord to open our eyes so that we see others through His eyes.
Blessings,
Debbie
So true, He is watching…may we put feet to His love and the in our daily lives the forgiveness we have received, even in the smaller things.
Thank you so much for sharing from your heart…and again, welcome to LWG…
Bethany,
Thank you so much for this post. It reminded me of something I didn’t even remember. Last year I went to a reunion of the youth/singles in my first church. It was so good to see everyone. Many I hadn’t seen for 20 years.
One young man I had dated came up to me and thanked me for bringing him to church when we dated. He said it was because of that small act that he became a Christian and is now teaching a SS class as an adult.
I was so blessed by what he said. I thought my time as a youth was really wasted…but God used it. Thank you, LORD.
Blessings~
Oh Bethany,
I just want to squeeze you and your momma. This is a wonderful story of kindness and yes, it matters so much what we do. Thank you Momma and Rodney and Bethany. May the Lord richly bless all of you today. BIG hugs.
What a wonderful testimony. This world would be so much better if everyone followed that example. You could call it the Golden Rule.
Thank you for posting this.
Blessings,
Charlotte
Amen, such a wonderful, heart tingling devotion sweetie. I love you my friend. Give your mom a great big hug from me.
What a beautiful story! This is something that can be pulled out for inspiration on those days when we feel like what we do has no impact on those around us.
God bless
Welcome to Laced with Grace Bethany! What a beautiful story to share – we must all remember that each day we have the ability to impact someone, either in a good way or a bad way. -Blessings