{"id":24733,"date":"2018-12-19T03:30:18","date_gmt":"2018-12-19T11:30:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/?p=24733"},"modified":"2018-12-11T14:59:11","modified_gmt":"2018-12-11T22:59:11","slug":"december-19-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/2018\/12\/19\/december-19-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"December 19, 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"
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“Encourage one another and build each other up.”\u00a0<\/em>1 Thessalonians\u00a05:11<\/p>\n

Small Act, Big Impact<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Someone wrote to tell me about something that happened with Floyd over 40 years ago.\u00a0The man who wrote me came to The Ark ministry in Amsterdam as a young hippie where he came to know the Lord.\u00a0Then he was with us at Heidebeek, the training farm in the countryside, for a while.\u00a0His daily work project was looking after a few vehicles and bicycles.<\/p>\n

One day he was getting a car ready to take us to the airport.\u00a0We were running late and the young man was quickly servicing and cleaning the car.\u00a0We jumped in the car and headed off to the airport with another couple.\u00a0About 20 minutes later, he saw the car coming back into the driveway to where he was standing.\u00a0Floyd got out of the car, put his arm around the young man, and said, “We had to come back because we forgot to thank you for getting the car ready to take us to the airport.”\u00a0Then we took off again.<\/p>\n

The man told me that that moment has stayed with him all these decades.\u00a0Even though we were running late, Floyd felt it was more important to turn the car around and show appreciation for the work the young man did.\u00a0The man has never forgotten it.<\/p>\n

Great opportunities only come along a few times in our life\u2014but little ones that can impact people for their whole life surround us daily!<\/p>\n

It’s made me reflect on all the little things that have impacted me on this unexpected journey I’m on.\u00a0I’m grateful for some of the big things\u2014the miracles we’ve seen.\u00a0But I think I’m just as grateful for the multitude of little things that have encouraged, strengthened, and blessed me along the way. It certainly makes me want to be more aware of the “little” opportunities in my days where I can bless others.\u00a0Even in the midst of trials and suffering we can bless those around us.<\/p>\n

God wants to “tap” us on the shoulder and give us words to share with others\u2014words of life, encouragement, healing, and blessing.\u00a0Often the “noise” of the world drowns out the still small voice speaking to us, tapping us on the shoulder… and wanting to use us to be His voice of love.<\/p>\n

I’ve needed those messages of love on this journey.\u00a0The ones I’ve received have been life-giving on hard days.\u00a0Some have been only a couple sentences long.\u00a0Others have been long letters, cards, emails.\u00a0But each one has been just what my heart needed.<\/p>\n

“Outdo one another in showing honor.”\u00a0<\/em>Romans\u00a012:10<\/p>\n

\u201cFather, help us to encourage and bless those who are in need. Tap us on the shoulder, and give us the idea of what to do for them, for You know what is needed. Amen.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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