It’s the little things that count….
It was Jesus who said, “I was thirsty and you gave Me drink…”
I now work with local charities and in so doing I come in contact with some heartwarming stories. Recently an executive of the local adult day care facility shared the following true story. This particular nonprofit organization provides care for adult clients, most of them suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s. Caring for the patients during the day hours allows the family members to work.
One day my friend received a phone call from a man searching for a place for his parents. They had just been as he phrased it, “kicked out” of the nursing home and had no place to go. The man explained that his father was particularly difficult and had problems relating to and getting along with other people. My friend said that her agency would certainly give it a try.
So the man and wife were brought the next day. I will call the man James although that was not his name. James kept to himself mostly and was quiet but otherwise seemed to adapt to his new day surroundings.
On one particular day my friend went by James and asked him “Have I told you today that I love you, James?” James asked her to repeat it. And then he said no. So my friend proceeded to say “I love you, James.” Upon hearing this James said, “Can you put that in writing?”
So my friend proceeded to her office and retrieved a pink index card. On this she wrote out the words and carried it back and gave it to James. She assumed the card would end up on the floor and thought nothing more of it.
Time passed and one day James’ son called and said James would not be there that day because he was sick and in the hospital. He expected his father would be back in a couple of days. James never returned to the day care. A few days later the son called to say that his father had passed.
And the son had another message for my friend. He said that at his father’s request, when he was buried he held in his hand the pink note from my friend.
You see, what my friend did that day was no big deal for her. In fact, she probably does those kind of things every day. She never gave it a second thought. It cost her nothing. But it was a big deal for James.
We never know when those opportunities will arise. When we have the opportunity to give that glass of water. When we can perform that kind act that will make a difference in another life.
Can we just get outside of self, long enough to realize that life is not about what we get? It is about what we give. And more often than not, what we give is not things. It may just be a kind word of encouragement.
Galatians 6:10 tells us to look for those opportunities to do good to our fellowman.
Luke 12:15 makes it clear life is not about the things we possess. Life is about relationships. It is about helping others. It is about bringing honor and glory to the One who created me. And I can do that by looking for the little things…