Matthew 9:20-22 – Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment. (NIV)

Have you ever noticed how frequently God ministers through simple things? A simple touch — a kind word — even just a smile. Since we expect to see results immediately, it often seems strange that blessings come long after that simple act, whether it is a touch, a word, or a smile.

In 1991, a grandson, Matthew, arrived. He lived only three days. But I remember very clearly his putting tiny fingers around my much larger finger and holding it. God somehow gave him the strength and direction to take that action and communicate his love for his grandfather. It was a precious moment that I cherish to this day.

In 2015, our 41-year-old son died. On the final day of his life, he didn't appear to be conscious. As I prepared to leave his hospital room, I took his hand and said, "This is your earthly father saying good-bye. Your heavenly Father will soon say hello." He squeezed my hand. I will never forget that touch.

My wife was born on February 1, 1929, in a Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, hospital. Accidentally, she was fed formula for a one-year-old rather than for a new-born. At three months, she weighed less than her birth-weight and was sent home to die. God had other ideas, and her mother nursed her to grow into a healthy young girl.

In 1956, we married, and for over six decades, we lived in 19 different locations in three countries: Canada, USA, and India. For 20 of those years, we led a large group of teenagers weekly, and hundreds of young people strengthened their relationship with God, influenced by my wife's simple touch, kind word, and smile.

In 2015, she was sent home from hospital with only a few days to live. But God kept her alive for more than a year, ministering by her gentle touch, caring words, and smile. Recently, two of the Filipino "angels", who were part of the team helping to care for her, visited me. They talked of her ministry while suffering. They were the last to feel her touch, hear her speak, and see her smile, and they still feel blessed.

A year later, our daughter-in-law died in March, 2017. She had sung This Day at my wife's funeral, and a recording of her singing was played for approximately 1,000 at her own funeral, a wonderful example of ministering after she was gone.

       This Day

This day is fragile — soon it will end
And once it has vanished, it will not come again
So let us love with a love pure and strong
Before this day is gone

This day is fleeting — when it slips away
Not all our money can buy back this day
So let us pray that we might be a friend
Before this day is gone

This day is frail — it will pass by
So before it's too late to recapture the time
Let us share love, let us share God
Before this day is gone
       Lyrics by Lowell Alexander ©1993 Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol Christian Music Group

Will you join me in offering a simple touch, a kind word, or even just a smile, before this day is gone?

Prayer: Dear God, help us to realize that You can work through us in simple ways. Help us to give a touch, a kind word, and a smile to show Your love. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Vincent Walter <vwalter@bell.net>
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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