The Makings of a True Inspiration

Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Every once in a while you run across a person who is a true inspiration. You know, the kind of individual who makes you want to be a better person . . . who causes you to dream more . . . who inspires you to love more . . . who challenges you to give more . . . who motivates you to serve more. I have come across a person like this recently.

You may think that I had some amazing opportunity to attend a prestigious event where a well-educated and highly travelled orator was able to extend the reach of my imagination to possibilities that lay across distant seas.  “Maybe,” you might say, “she has met a millionaire who has given a fraction of his hard earned finances to the poor in a foreign country and has spurred her on to more sacrificial giving.” “Or maybe he is someone who has sacrificed his life and well being to defend our country in dangerous regions.” Could it be a motivational speaker who challenged her to dig down deep to be the best she could be?

But you would be wrong! This person is none of those things.

My inspiration drives a beat up blue car and delivers the newspaper to my home every day. I remember the first day he came. I was in the living room that early morning when I saw the blue car turn down our lane. I wondered who could be coming to visit so early in the morning and prepared to dash upstairs and quickly get dressed. But when I returned the car was gone and our newspaper was on the sidewalk in front of the house – not where previous carriers had left it at the end of our long lane.

I thought, “That’s odd!” and dismissed it from my mind. But day after day the blue beater would drive down my lane and I would find the newspaper neatly packaged and within easy walking distance. Soon I realized that Cherokee, our German Shepherd, was benefitting from this arrangement, too, because each time the newspaper would arrive she would get a dog treat and  a friendly hello.

At Christmas time the newspaper contained a notice that our deliverer was collecting canned goods for the local food pantry. So I packed up some things and left them at the sidewalk drop-off spot feeling very good about the opportunity to provide something needful for those who were less fortunate. What a blessing!

It is often easier to perform one large work of service or to give a one-time gift than it is to be faithful in the routine chores of life. The big things often receive accolades and recognition that make a person feel good while the small things become a drag and seem to go unnoticed. But trust me, the small kindnesses that you regularly invest into peoples’ lives will make a difference and will result in eternal rewards.

God tells us that we should let our light so shine before men so that they will see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven. When people see our faithfulness and love for them they will wonder why we are making the time and taking the effort. Over time they will see that our acts are genuine and not self-serving. Many will be inspired to follow in our footsteps, and, more importantly, some will come to recognize our heavenly Father who loves them even more than we do. Soon they will begin to give Him praise.

Yep! I’ve been inspired by the faithful and kind acts of our newspaper carrier. I wanted to tell him the other day when he delivered our paper, but he was too busy helping John-Keith scrape the ice off of his car. So, I’ll tell him now: “Thanks, Scott!”

Love,

Mama