A Free Glass of Milk

A gracious woman gets honor, and violent men get riches. A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself. The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward. Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die. Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the LORD, but those of blameless ways are his delight. Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered. (Proverbs 11:16-21 ESV). We never know how our lives may be affected by the kindnesses we show to others. While I do not know of the truth of the following story, it serves as an interesting muse as we think of the many opportunities we have each day to show a simple kindness to others. One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal, he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry and so she brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?" "You don't owe me anything," she replied. “Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness." He said, "Then I thank you from my heart." As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strengthened also. He had been ready to give up and quit. Years later, that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, he went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor's gown, he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day, he gave special attention to the case. After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested from the business office to pass the final billing to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge, and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words: "PAID IN FULL WITH ONE GLASS OF MILK.... (Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly." A simple kindness ultimately led to a much greater kindness. This story is very dramatic, however, the truth remains the same. We all have opportunities each day to show simple kindnesses, perhaps no more than a kind word spoken, and each of those cannot be measured in the whole of God’s plan. Commit yourself to being kind to others.

Because of Who They Are

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. (Psalm 127 ESV). Today my thoughts turn to family, especially children. There is a message that needs to be drilled into the hearts and minds of every mom and dad: You don't love your kids because of what they do, but because of who they are. Simply rewarding children with affection because of their accomplishments is like a circus trainer giving a dog some food every time he jumps through a hoop. The dog isn't loved for himself, but for his actions. The Scripture is very clear that our children are gifts from God. Dr. Laura Schlessinger, the popular talk show host, has a new book for children titled, "Why Do You Love Me?" Part of the story includes a mother explaining to her son that it is not what he does that makes her love him; she loves him because he is unique and because he is her son. It is a very poignant story as it emphasizes the impact of such love in a child. I know it is difficult for some parents to love their children’s actions. There are those times when the choices they make are very destructive and negative. However, I also know that they are much les likely to make some of those choices when they realize the unconditional love that parent’s have for them. Our best example of this kind of love is in the story of the Prodigal Son (cf. Luke 15). There are two things that stand out most in this story for me. First, there is the patience and love of the father who waits for the son to come home, looking for him every day. And second, I see the forgiveness and acceptance when the son returns. I wonder how much embarrassment he suffered because of the foolishness of his son? I wonder how many times he had to endure the peculiar stares and whispered comments from the local town gossips? How did he endure? I believe the answer is in the fact that he knew the real hurt was not in what others thought about him, but in what his son was doing to himself. Selfless love always focuses on others. That truth is at the heart of loving our children for who they are and not what they do. No wonder he could stand gazing to the horizon, praying and waiting for his son to return. Today, focus your love on who they are, not what they do. God loves you in that way!

Big Mouth

We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds. “At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity. When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn; do not lift up your horn on high, or speak with haughty neck.’” (Psalm 75:1-5 ESV). I read the following story recently that illustrates the danger of a “big mouth.” Two geese were about to start southward on their annual migration, when they were entreated by a frog to take him with them. The geese expressed their willingness to do so if a means of conveyance could be devised. The frog produced a long stalk of pond grass, got the geese each to grab an end with their beaks, while he clung to it by his mouth in the middle. In this way the three began their journey. Some farmers below noticed the strange sight. The men loudly expressed their admiration for the travel device and wondered who had been clever enough to discover it. Whereupon the vainglorious frog opened his mouth to say, "It was I," lost his grip, fell to the earth and was dashed to pieces. True humility is hard to find, but God places great honor in such a trait. Booker T. Washington, the renowned black educator, was an outstanding example of this truth. Shortly after he took over the presidency of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, he was walking in an exclusive section of town when a wealthy white woman stopped him. Not knowing the famous Mr. Washington by sight, she asked if he would like to earn a few dollars by chopping wood for her. Because he had no pressing business at the moment, Professor Washington smiled, rolled up his sleeves, and proceeded to do the humble chore she had requested. When he was finished, he carried the logs into the house and stacked them by the fireplace. A little girl recognized him and later revealed his identity to the lady. The next morning the embarrassed woman went to see Mr. Washington in his office at the Institute and apologized profusely. “It’s perfectly all right, Madam,” he replied. “Occasionally I enjoy a little manual labor. Besides, it’s always a delight to do something for a friend.” She shook his hand warmly and assured him that his meek and gracious attitude had endeared him and his work to her heart. Not long afterward she showed her admiration by persuading some wealthy acquaintances to join her in donating thousands of dollars to the Tuskegee Institute. Leonard Bernstein, the late conductor of the New York Philharmonic orchestra, was once asked to name the most difficult instrument to play. Without hesitation, he replied, “The second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find someone who can play the second fiddle with enthusiasm—that’s a problem. And if we have no second fiddle, we have no harmony.” How’s your humility?

An MD Degree

He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. My brothers are treacherous as a torrent-bed, as torrential streams that pass away. (Job 6:14-15 ESV). The title for our devotional today has nothing at all to do with an academic degree. The initials “MD” stand for “morale destroyer.” I have found that there are some people who are so adept at this negative influence they might as well have a post graduate degree in the technique! You have heard of the cup that overflowed. I recently read an analogy of a bucket that is like the cup, only larger, it is an invisible bucket. Everyone has one. It determines how we feel about ourselves, about others, and how we get along with people. Have you ever experienced a series of very favorable things that made you want to be good to people for a week? At that time, your bucket was full. A bucket can be filled by a lot of things that happen. When a person speaks to you, recognizing you as a human being, your bucket is filled a little. Even more if he calls you by name, especially if it is the name you like to be called. If he compliments you on your dress or on a job well done, the level in your bucket goes up still higher. There must be a million ways to raise the level in another's bucket. Writing a friendly letter, remembering something that is special to him, knowing the names of his children, expressing sympathy for his loss, giving him a hand when his work is heavy, taking time for conversation, or, perhaps more important, listing to him. Raising the level in someone’s bucket is no more than raising their level of morale. When one's bucket is full of this emotional support, one can express warmth and friendliness to people. But, remember, this is a theory about a bucket and a dipper. Other people have dippers and they can get their dippers in your bucket. This, too, can be done in a million ways. Lets say I am at a dinner and inadvertently upset a glass of water that spills over the tablecloth. I am embarrassed. "MD" across the table says, "You knocked over your water." That took a lot of analysis! Of course I know I made a mistake and spilled the water. But, when he told me about it, he got his dipper in my bucket! Think of the times a person makes a mistake, feels terrible about it, only to have someone tell him about the known mistake. That is a morale destroyer! Although there is a limit to such an analogy, there are people who seem to have holes in their buckets. When a person has a hole in his bucket, he irritates lots of people by trying to get his dipper in their buckets. This is when he really needs somebody to pour it in his bucket because he keeps losing. The story of our lives is the interplay of the bucket and the dipper. Everyone has both. The unyielding secret of the bucket and the dipper is that when you fill another's bucket it does not take anything out of your own bucket. The level in our own bucket gets higher when we fill another's, and, on the other hand, when we dip into another's bucket we do not fill our own ... we lose a little. For a variety of reasons, people hesitate filling the bucket of another and consequently do not experience the fun, joy, happiness, fulfillment, and satisfaction connected with making another person happy. Don’t be an MD… lift others up and you will be lifted up.

Unique

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26-27 ESV). Over the years as I have watched my twin grandchildren, Faith and Logan, grow and develop, I have noticed them become two very different children. One is not “better” than the other. They just have different personalities and gifts. They are unique, just as all of us are unique. There is a story told of a man who died and met Saint Peter at the pearly gates. Realizing Saint Peter was a wise and knowledgeable person, he said, "Saint Peter, I have been interested in military history for many years. Tell me who was the greatest general of all times?" Saint Peter quickly responded, "Oh, that's a simple question. It is that man right over there," as he pointed nearby. The man said, "You must be mistaken, Saint Peter. I knew that man on earth. He was just a common laborer." "That's right, my friend," replied Saint Peter. "But he would have been the greatest general of all time, if he had been a general." Our reading this morning comes from the very beginning of time. It is the heart of God’s design in Creation. He never intended to create people with identical characteristics and gifts. We are all created unique with abilities designed to best fulfill a specific purpose. That purpose is intended to bring us happiness and joy. I wonder if you have found that purpose? You were created with natural abilities and an internal compass that guides you toward a particular focus for your life. That's only the starting point; the next step is yours. You have an obligation to expand that potential to its ultimate destiny. Michelangelo said, "It is only well with me when I have a chisel in my hand." Discover what you are supposed to do and do it! Thomas Carlyle said, “A man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder—a waif, a nothing, a no man. Have a purpose in life, and, having it, throw such strength of mind and muscle into your work as God has given you.” Whatever it is God has given you to be, do it with your whole heart. Whatever God has given you to be with, use it with your whole heart. You are unique and therefore wonderful!

The Sistine Chapel

Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone. If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it. (Proverbs 25:14-16 ESV). The artist Michelangelo often stirred up the opposition of the contemporary artists of his day. Many of them envied his magnificent abilities. One example was the architect Bramante. Pope Julius retained Michelangelo to build him a splendid tomb. Michelangelo gladly accepted the project and spent eight months in a marble pit personally cutting and selecting the most perfect stones. When he returned, he found the pope had second thoughts. Bramante had turned Pope Julius against the project. The Pope cancelled it. Later the idea for another special project entered the Pope's mind. Bramante saw the project as a time consuming trap for which there would be little public recognition. Bramante recommended Michelangelo for the job. The great artist saw the trap. He knew what Bramante was up to. He wished to turn the project down but did not want to refuse the Pope's request. So Michelangelo went to work. He spent many years doing the slow and tedious labor the project required. It was the Sistine Chapel. The inspiration that flowed through Michelangelo can likewise flow through any human being. That is what the inspiration wants to do. It cannot be stopped. It is a living, powerful river that easily circumvents all obstacles. Michelangelo collected his inner forces for a complete victory. Likewise, we must not fear to face the trickery of some people and expose it for what it is. This is not negative, but intelligent protection and spiritual perception. In his many books on inner development author Vernon Howard refers to Michelangelo several times. He quotes him as saying, "The more the marble wastes, the more the statue grows." And, "I released the statue from the stone." He chiseled away all that was unnecessary, and David emerged. Perhaps there is a daunting task that you face. If it is a worthy goal, then face it with patience and perseverance. You will find that as you begin, the end seems much closer than you thought. In the hands of God even those things others mean for our harm turn out for our good.

Wei Chi

When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exodus 14:10-14 ESV). Our family has been very fortunate to be able to travel to many beautiful places. There is one place that I particularly recall because of its breathtaking view. From the edge of the Grand Canyon we sat and watched the sun set. Even with the pleas to hurry and leave from the younger boys who were ready to get going again, I recall the awe we felt as the colors of the canyon walls began to change with the fading of the light. It was inspiring. I also remember the caution Mary advised as I sought to get a better view by getting closer and closer to the edge. In fact, she told me that she would not allow me to get the boys that close. Something about, if I wanted to fall that was fine, but not her boys! She always has been a little wiser about those things than I. There's good news and bad news about getting real close to the edge. The bad news is that it is dangerous at the edge, you can fall off. But the good news is the view from the edge is spectacular! For you, that might be right now. You are at one of those points we all reach several times in our life, sometimes several times in a year! You're at the edge financially; with a son or daughter you don't know what to do with, or maybe in your marriage. It could be you're at the edge emotionally; you're not sure how much more you can take, or your responsibilities have gotten so heavy that they're taking you to the edge. Being close to the edge is dangerous, and it's an exciting place to be, too. If you're not so sure about that "exciting" part, you need to spend a moment in our reading today. If ever a group of God's people were at the edge, it's here. The ancient Jews have been delivered by God from their enslavement in Egypt and now they have made camp with the Red Sea in front of them. And the Bible says, "All Pharaoh's horses and chariots, horsemen, and troops pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea." Oh, great! Red Sea in front of them ... the most powerful army on earth behind them, in hot pursuit. We are at the edge, folks! But remember, it was God who led them to the edge. It usually is. If you're in the middle of a Red Sea Moment, it is most likely part of the great and loving plans of God for you. You know what happened when God's ancient people were at the edge. The Bible says, "The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground with a wall of water on their right and on their left." So why did God bring His people to this dangerous edge where there clearly seemed to be no solutions, no rescue? Perhaps it is for the same reason He has brought you to the edge. Perhaps He desires you to see a more spectacular view of Him than you have ever seen before! The Chinese word for "crisis" is the word "wei chi." The word has two figures in it, the top one means "danger," the bottom one means "opportunity." Now, in many ways, that's a Biblical view of a crisis moment you or I face. Yes, there is real danger. But, even more, there is a real opportunity for God to do something that will bring Him great glory and allow you to see His power in amazing ways, and to tighten your grip on His hand as never before. If God has led you to this edge, then you have every right to expect the miracle of God’s redemptive work in Christ to keep you safe. In any Red Sea moment you will ultimately see God part it. And once He does, you won't remember the danger much. What you'll remember is that spectacular view of God, and you'd never see it if you didn't go to the edge! It will change your life forever!