A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Proverbs 25:11 NKJV
Four o’clock in the morning wasn’t usually the busiest hour for this coastal restaurant. But that changed when my marine biology class, out on a field trip, filed through their doors. The only server there, a girl probably in her late teens, looked at us wide-eyed as one by one chairs and tables began filling up with college students. I secretly wondered how she would handle this unexpected influx of business.
I watched with interest as she went to each table taking orders and answering questions. Then she came to my table. She displayed a pleasant demeanor while doing an excellent job of handling such a group, and I told her so.
She looked at me and with hope in her voice, exclaimed, “Oh, would you please tell that to my boss? I’ve been trying to get on the day shift, and that would really help.” I assured her I’d be happy to do that.
When I went to pay my bill, I mentioned to the cashier the fine work the server did in serving so many people. She yanked a paper towel from the nearby dispenser, grabbed a pencil, and slapped both on the counter in front of me. “Please,” she begged, her hands shaking with excitement, “would you write that down for our boss to see? I’d appreciate it so much!” That lowly paper towel almost took on a life of its own as I recorded every complimentary thing I noticed about this young server.
Jesus tells us about the importance of appreciation in the Bible story about 10 lepers. These men came to Jesus asking for mercy. When He saw them, Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priests. On the way, they were cleansed, but only one leper came back to thank Him. The Lord showed disappointment that the other nine didn’t do the same. The leper who returned to offer thanks glorified God by acknowledging that the gift of healing came from Him.
In this fast-paced world, where technology often bypasses face-to-face communication, it’s easy to take for granted the little things that people do to help us. One kind word or act, no matter how small, may be just what is needed to change a person’s outlook, circumstance, or life.
God gives us many blessings daily. We glorify God when we thank Him for the privilege of sharing these blessings.
Blessed - Copyright © 2012 by the General Conference Women’s Ministries Department