The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Small Matters"
Those of you who have been with us for awhile may recall a story I once shared with you about a dear Orange Moon subscriber and friend named Nancy. Many years ago, Nancy responded to a message we sent out about honoring the Lord in matters that may seem small, but which which actually bear great spiritual significance. Nancy said that one way she does this involves always placing grocery store shopping carts in their proper receptacles after she empties them. "I don't want to make extra work for someone else." This vividly illustrated the Christ-led and God-honoring behavior referenced in the message. "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31).
Over the years, Frances and I have returned many carts to their proper place in shopping center parking lots, remembering Nancy's example. A particularly vivid opportunity happened for me the other day at a local store. I parked a long way from the entrance of the building. When I returned to my car and unloaded my shopping basket, I looked around for a receptacle and spotted one far off in the distance. "Too far away this time" I thought. Then it hit me. "What does the Lord want me to do in this matter?" And, of course, "what would Nancy do?"
I rolled the basket to the distant receptacle, and returned to my car with a smile on my face and thanksgiving for the Lord and for Nancy. I also thought about the value of Christian brothers and sisters who serve as encouraging and challenging examples in our lives. How often we see Christ in each other, especially as we realize and remember our shared calling to reflect His glory in practical ways that may seem earthly, but which actually proceed from Heavenly realities resident within our hearts. "Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord" (Colossians 3:23).
Relatively speaking, few obviously big things happen in our lives. Conversely, thousands upon thousands of seemingly little things occur. Moments matter as the Lord's abiding presence offers countless opportunities to trust and submit to Him in circumstances that may seem insignificant, but which actually teem with the possibility of glorifying the Lord Jesus. What a life God gives to us in Christ, wherein He fills all things with His involved presence and working. I think about this when returning shopping baskets to their receptacles, and when pondering the many small matters that actually loom large in the light of eternity.
"Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
(I Corinthians 10:31)
Weekly Memory Verse
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.
(John 14:6)
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