The Least of These

My son and his two oldest children are visiting us.  Yesterday, we took a leisurely drive to Amish country to pick up a German Chocolate cake I ordered for Father's Day (for my dad, not for my son who doesn't like nuts or coconut).  During our drive, my son shared that because of the sacrifices he's making by serving in the military, he 'deserves' some of the finer things life offers.   

Later last night while he and I were out to dinner with my husband, we revisited this conversation.  I shared that my perspective is different.  Seeing so many people standing on the road near the highway exit ramps with signs asking for help says to me that the more the Lord blesses me, the more I'm able to bless others.  I shared with my two men that I'm reading "Stories Behind Women of Extraordinary Faith."  Matthew 25:35-40 is stamped all over the stories of Harriett Tubman, Dr. Anne Brooks, and Mother Theresa.  While this book is about women, their stories of tending to the 'least of these', remind me of my friend, Russ, who died recently.  Russ, like these women, focused on being of service to people who had the least.  When Harriet Tubman's friends asked "why she was doing so much for those who could pay her nothing, she simply asked them to read Matthew 25:35-40."  

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Mother Teresa is quoted as saying:

"Christ wants to give us the chance to put our love for Him in living action.  He makes Himself, the hungry one, not only for bread but for love.  He makes Himself the naked one, not only for a piece of cloth but for that understanding love, that dignity, human dignity.  He makes Himself the homeless one, not only for the peace of a small room but for the deep sincere love for the other.  This is Jesus, the Living Bread that He has come to break with you and me."

I also recently read the book, "When God Says No" (by Lorry Lutz) about Mother Eliza Davis George, a poor little black girl from Texas who served in the African mission field and died at age 100.  When Mother Eliza hiked to African primitive villages, she called the people together to tell them "about a Man who died for you."  After she explained to them how Jesus died for them, they asked her "how come you are just coming to tell us this now.  Our mothers and brothers and fathers have died, and they didn't know about this.  How come you tell us now?"  Mother Eliza's missionary story, the stories about these women of extraordinary faith, and my reflection on Russ' life shout to me that to fully reflect my love for Jesus Christ and be a better servant, I have to do more for those who have the least.  In doing this, my actions, like these great people of God, demonstrating Matthew 25:35-40 will tell people about Jesus. 

A book reviewer of "Stories Behind Women of Extraordinary Faith"said: The faith and the love of the Lord are embedded deeply in these women's lives. When my life is over, I want others to see that my faith and love of my Lord were embedded deeply in my life.  Perhaps reading "Stories Behind Women of Extraordinary Faith" may inspire you as well to do all you can to make an eternal difference.  To purchase this book, click on this link: http://www.christianbook.com/stories-behind-women-of-extraordinary-faith/ace-collins/9780310263166/pd/263166#customer_reviews

Let me leave you with this quote from Pastor Mark Adams ( http://www.redlandbaptist.org/sermons/sermon20031012.php: )  We'll have to give an accounting for what we did with our lives-all the gifts, talents, opportunities, energy, relationships and resources God gave us. We'll have to tell whether or not we spent them on ourselves or used them to further God's purposes and make an eternal difference.