Home Sweet Hurt

I’m not really sure if I have a life verse. You know, one of those verses in the Bible that you could summarize as your life verse, your go-to? But I can say a verse that has stuck with me throughout the years is Luke 16:10, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” This verse’s context is found in the Parable of the Dishonest Manager, where a rich manager was dishonest and shrewd in some business dealings, idolizing wealth instead of eternal riches in heaven. This verse reminds me that, with what I’ve been given, I need to remain faithful to serve and give, because these gifts and goods aren’t my own, I’m just a steward. Yesterday and today’s events really reminded me of this verse, and it’s words rung true.

Yesterday: As I was driving to CVS to pick up a medication, I stopped at a traffic light. Now I know that no one really likes stopping at a traffic light. It slows you down from where you need to be, and causes you to sit patiently (or not so patiently) until it’s your turn. I also know no one likes to sit at red lights like the one I had last night, since there were no other cars on the road. Just me, waiting at a red light, for no apparent reason. As I was sitting “patiently,” I looked out my window to see all of these snowflake lights hanging from the trees at the Methodist church. I had no idea who put those lights up, and I have no idea how long it took. All I know is for that brief moment while I waited at that traffic light, I stopped and appreciated the closet thing Mississippi will probably have to snow this year. I’m thankful for whoever took the time to hang those snowflakes, because this Virginian needs to slow down and appreciate what is around her. She also needs her snow.

Today: Jim and I are gearing up to head back to Virginia for the holidays. We all know that when you travel, you don’t want to leave a fridge full of food behind, because your food will go bad in your absence. So I’ve somewhat refused to go to the grocery store for the past week, determined to use the rest of the food in our fridge. As a result, Jim and I are eating spaghetti sauce, eggs, spinach, apples, and whatever other random foods are in there. Not all together, ew. But we’re almost completely out of breakfast foods, so I went to work a little hungry this morning. And here’s how the day unfolds:

Lo and behold, one of my sweet co-workers had made sausage balls that morning, and offered some to me on her way out to host a luncheon. She didn’t know that the Hurt’s breakfast foods were depleted, she just knew I would appreciate some sausage balls. And I sure did appreciate them! Later that day, another co-worker brought back lunches for the staff, and that further brightened my day because my lunch was one of those freezer lunches that just didn’t sound appetizing. Hmmm, I wonder if food is my love language? I may be having one of those aha moments right now. Anyway, she just thought we would appreciate some food, and we did! Then, another coworker went out and bought us Cokes to go with our surprise lunches. She didn’t have to, but she did it because it’s a little something we could enjoy with our newfound treats for lunch. After all of this kindness my coworkers showed me by treating me throughout the day, I decided to surprise Jim with a treat from Lee’s, to try and make a small difference in his day with a yummy snack we wouldn’t normally buy. But when I went to pay, I couldn’t find my wallet anywhere. So, my co-worker, who accompanied me to Lee’s/drives me-to-and-from-work/is-my-forever-coffee-loving-friend, paid for it herself, and Jim was pleasantly surprised when he came home to a delicious chess square.

Today’s events weren’t intended to be focused on food and how every single one of my coworkers helped feed me, but I suppose I really do enjoy gifts in the form of food (ha!). What today really revealed to me is that every single one of my co-workers remained faithful in the little things, serving and giving in little ways. Whether that be through a Coke with lunch, or an encouraging word throughout the work day. Some folks have gone out of their way to let me know they read and enjoy my blog, and those kind words speak volumes to me. Not because people care to read my blog necessarily, just that they went out of their way to be kind and to let me know they care.

I’m constantly challenging myself to remain faithful in the little things. To say those kind words, to give generously, to go out of my way for someone else. Tim Keller introduced me to the idea of a “love tank” in his book The Meaning of Marriage (a book I highly recommend, FYI!). I’m not saying I succeed at this every day, but I strive to love others, because Jesus fills my love tank. And when my love tank is filled by Jesus, I’m able go and  share that love with others. Give, because you’ve been given much, friends, even in the little ways. Especially in the little ways! I’ve found that often the smallest things make the biggest difference.