“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." Matthew 5:14-16
You've probably heard the term "random act of kindness". You may even have been the giver or receiver of it. Wikipedia defines it as: a selfless act performed by a person or people wishing either to assist or to cheer up an individual person or people. Sounds a lot like 1 Thessalonians 5:11, "So cheer each other up with the hope you have. Build each other up." and Luke 6:31, " Do to others as you would have them do to you." I think any act of kindness or deed done to bless others is a great thing. But, as Christians, shouldn't that be our goal every day? If the dictionary defines random as: chosen without method or conscious decision - wouldn't that mean that random acts of kindness would only be performed at random? What if we practiced purposeful acts of kindness instead? Gestures done on purpose and for a purpose and for no other purpose than to glorify the Lord. You need not look for a way to do this, God will give you the opportunity if you will give Him your obedience.
As my friend and I were checking into our hotel one evening to rest before our morning marathon, we saw a couple in the hallway hauling some very large coolers and holding bags of Peanut M&Ms, which happen to be my favorite. While smiling and making small talk, I joked that they might just have more M&Ms than they could possibly eat and that they would be the perfect fuel for our race the next day. I'm still not sure why they had all that candy, but a bag of those M&Ms (did I tell you they were my favorite?) was in front of our hotel door later that evening. What a pleasant surprise and a reminder to my friend (running her first marathon) that God was sending His love to us (especially to her) in the form of chocolate and peanuts. We returned the act by quietly putting two TEAM 413 bracelets in an envelope in front of their door with a note saying, "Thank you for the M&Ms. May God bless you today for blessing us." One act of kindness deserves another right? I'd like to think that they needed to be reminded of the message on those bracelets, "Can do through Christ" for whatever they would be facing that day. God is good to bring us reminders of His extraordinary love by using ordinary people.
Remember that what may seem like a small act to you can make a huge impact in someone's life. I have those treasured M&Ms in a jar in my cabinet (hidden from the kids). I eat a few every day (smiling at the memory of the people that left them) thanking God as I do for His grace. And I pray that, as the couple wears their bracelets, they do the same. Never miss an opportunity to show the love of Christ. By doing so you just may be "entertaining angels." Hebrews 13:2, or showing others the love of Christ as you, "let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Any day you can glorify God is a great day indeed!
Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org
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