Devotional: The Silver Box
Other than at their funeral, have you ever thanked someone for their generosity toward you?
Driving up to the post office, I was nervous. God was leading me to show my thankfulness even though I didn’t how it would be received. A million questions ran through my head.
Do I put my return address on the package?Do I use my business or personal name as the return address?
I entered the building not sure of what to do. Letting the Holy Spirit lead me, I responded in faith. I approached the counter and sent the book and a card as a gift. It was my “silver gift box”.
As many of you know, I released my first book a few months ago, but there’s one person I’ve been holding back on sending it to. I recently heard that we should tell people how much they mean to us before they pass away, not afterward. So, I sent this gift to my ex-boyfriend’s mom. She had extended love to me beyond measure at a time in my life when I truly needed it.
I could see in her life that she believed in the principle: “Do not neglect to extend hospitality to strangers [especially among the family of believers—being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously], for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2).
I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a significant reason she needed my book and to hear from me.
Part of the accompanying card read: “I may never see you again on this side of heaven, but when I do, I will walk the streets of gold with you. Then we can catch up on life, and you can share all your wisdom with me. Thank you for being a mother to me when you didn’t need to be.”
Even though the relationship with her son ended, my love for her did not.
Responding in faith is so important even when we don’t know how things will turn out. Consider Lydia in the Bible. As the first convert in Europe, Lydia is known for her hospitality, hosting Paul and the apostles in her home in Philippi. Eventually, her home was also used as a gathering space for other believers. Lydia heard and responded in faith, even when she didn’t know the impact this would have on others. She helped ignite the fire of the early Christian church.
We can continue to encourage each other to ignite the fire. You never know how much you have impacted someone’s life and how small actions, and hospitality can change the outcome of someone’s life.
Are there those who have influenced your Christian life and changed its outcome?
How about doing a brave thing today?
Give the individual a call, write them a text or email or send them a card via postal mail. Maybe it has never dawned on them what an impression they have made on your life or the lives of others. Possibly it can spur them on to even more obedience and generosity toward strangers.
I cannot forget how one woman changed my world. She now knows it. How many others will she impact for the good? How many can you spur on for the good? Give a “silver box”.
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Blessings,
Ashley Marie
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