Galatians 6:9-10 – Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (NIV)

A few years ago, I was having one of those days when I was feeling very sorry for myself. Working full-time as an elementary teacher was taking a lot out of me. After a long day, I'd start my second job caring for my husband, son, father-in-law, and our home. On the twenty-five-minute drive home from work, the daily "What's for dinner?" question plagued me as I tried to dream up a meal to meet their whims and needs, when all I really wanted to do was to sit as still as a stone in a soundproof room for an hour.

I came home to all three, sitting in the living room talking. They looked up and said "Hi" as I dropped my book bag and started in. That day, I was not exactly serving "as unto the Lord". I probably banged those pots around and slammed kitchen cupboard doors a little loudly. And when we all sat down to eat, my father-in-law, who was very worried about his blood pressure, remarked that the food was too salty. Now if he had said it to my face, that would have been one thing, but he said it in his native language to my husband. It was all I could do to sit there and not blow a gasket. They ate the "salty food" and returned to the living room, leaving me there to clean up the mess.

Doing the dishes, I started to sniff and cry out to God. Why Lord? I love them, but why can't they see I'm working hard for them? I'm tired. Why doesn't anyone ever say "thank you" around here?

At that moment, I reached up to the top shelf of the cupboard to put away a bowl, and out fell a card. On it, it said, "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thanks, thanks, thanks!" It was pink and red with hearts on it, a typical Hallmark card. Nothing was written inside, and there was no envelope. I had never seen it before and had no idea where it had come from. I started to laugh and cry at the same time. The Lord heard me! He gave me exactly what I needed. I changed my attitude to gratitude and thanked God for all that these lovely men brought to me daily. Serving in the Lord's strength and for Him, it could be done well. God is so good!

Prayer: Lord, please help us today to see others as You see them, to be filled with gratitude for those that You've put in our paths. Help us to serve them as we would You. Thank You for the love You freely give! In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Michele Debau <makrissak@hotmail.com>
Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
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