A small note of Scripture taped to the check-out desk caught my attention.
I mentioned to the scheduler that the verse—“He (Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God”—was one of my favorites.
The scheduler said a co-worker had given it to her during a rough trial in her life. Although some time had passed, she remembered the person and their actions fondly by leaving it taped to the desk. She could've read the Scripture herself, but doing so wouldn't have meant as much. Someone had seen her struggling, prayed for her, and did some little thing that wasn't expected. She still received a blessing from the note.
Two stories in the Bible exemplify this kind of encouragement. One, when Moses' father-in-law suggested he appoint judges to handle the more trivial matters of the Israelites. He didn't have to offer advice, but he was concerned for his son-in-law.
Another, when a Shunammite woman and her husband built Elisha a small room in their home—a selfless act they didn't have to do and that no one expected. They helped the prophet of God and gave him a place to rest and pray.
Often, our little effort means everything to someone else. We never know what others are facing and how our small gesture will comfort them. Our acts demonstrate that God hasn't forgotten where they are or what they're going through. We might just walk away with a great blessing, praising the Lord in our hearts.
Talk is cheap, but your actions will speak louder than words and last a whole lot longer.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)
Andy is a published multi-award-winning author with devotions appearing on the Christian Devotions website as well as the CBN website. He is a contributing author in the Starr Ayers/Stephanie Pavlantos book Room at the Table. Currently, he is working on his first novel and is assembling a book of inspirational Scripture-based short stories along with moral, personal, family, and comical stories. Andy is the founder and director of H.O.P.E. Ministries in Candler, NC. While operating primarily as a food ministry, they also provide backpacks, Easter baskets, and Christmas shoebox gifts to crisis pregnancy centers, domestic violence shelters, schools, government agencies, and other ministries. They also provide disaster relief and aid for unwed mothers and their children.