Small Acts = Great Rewards

Sometimes we think the only things that are significant are the acts that get public recognition. Perhaps the really gratifying deeds are done with hardly any recognition. An uncle that helped me learn the basics on a guitar, an aunt that took care of me when my parents were out of town, a teacher who gave me a note of affirmation, parents who modeled a life of integrity and a love for God, pastors who sacrificed their time to care for our family, neighbors who picked us up for church, are just a few of the influences that have shaped my own life.

Many years ago I took a little boy fishing.  His father had died of cancer and I felt every boy should have at least one opportunity to go fishing with a father figure. A songwriter wrote, “God speaks best to little boys while their fishing.”  Little could I have dreamed that this little boy Bob would grow up to be a plant manager in a large manufacturing company. At an unplanned meeting I spoke of our son looking for a job. Bob said, “I have never forgotten how you took me fishing as a young boy.  If your son wants a job, all he has to do is come and fill out the paper work...” Our son has now been employed there for almost a decade. There are great rewards that come from very small acts of kindness.

Jesus said, “For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.” (Mark 9:41)

In reading through the book of Ruth in the Bible, I was reminded of this same truth in shoe leather.

  Boaz said to Ruth, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.” When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. (Ruth 2:14 )

At the time of this story, Boaz was a wealthy bachelor farmer with many employees.  One day a young widow came to one of his fields during harvest time to gather the dropped barley into her basket. Ruth was living with her mother in law Naomi who was also a widow. It was during this harvest that Boaz learned how Ruth had left her own parents in Moab to help care for her widowed mother in law here in Bethlehem where she knew no one. He instructed his employees to purposely drop some grains of barley so it would not be so difficult for her to fill her basket. He also told his men not to bother Ruth in any way.  Boaz told Ruth she could drink from their water jugs and eat from his lunch.  He was impressed that this beautiful young widow was not seeking a handsome young man to marry. He ended up marrying Ruth and their first baby boy grew up to become the grandfather of the King David, the second king of Israel.

Never underestimate the power of a small act of kindness. Maybe we should consider baby-sitting a harried mother who needs a few hours off, or writing a short note to a discouraged person who needs a lift, visiting a shut-in who is lonely, or making a call to someone just to show you care.  Who knows the far reaching rewards that will come from that little act of kindness. If no one else does, God does!

Al Yoder

2/3/2011