Here’s to the shop assistants who greet customers warmly and offer conversation in good humour, in spite of us being the 1000000th customer to walk through their doors.
Here’s to the ones who tend their front gardens faithfully- a feast for my eyes and a delight to my senses every time I wander past. Here’s to those who hold nothing back when decorating their homes with colourful lights and every kind of celebratory paraphernalia at Christmas, Easter and every worthy occasion in between… just because. Thanks be to God for every thoughtful gesture, listening ear, and people making the effort. Those who are willing to give more than they ever receive. The beauty cultivators, joy spreaders, peacemakers.
“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 CSB)
One summer's day years ago, I remember a complete stranger approached me and my young children outside a shop and offered them a magnum ice cream each. Magnums are on the posh end of the ice lolly scale so I was hesitant to accept, but he insisted that he and his wife wanted to give them to us- it was a delightful surprise on a hot and humid summer day.
I often wonder if the shop assistants/ strangers at the park/ friendly neighbours realise the mood shifting impact their genuine smile, generous attitude, kind words or helpful gestures make on any given day. It can sometimes be a healing balm to a wounded soul.
How much more as believers can our simple acts of creativity and kindness, going the extra mile ‘just because’, cause a light to shine not on us, but on our Father in heaven.
I desire to be an encourager, a cultivator of beauty in these everyday, simple, ordinary ways. I want to be one who chooses beauty over bitterness and gratitude over groaning. Being ‘the light of the world’ is a high calling, and one I often feel is a tall order for my selfish and short-sighted tendencies to achieve. But this way of living is achievable for all of us, those new to faith and those of us who have been journeying for a while.
Kindness is beautiful, generosity is beautiful, thoughtfulness is beautiful. Where can we create beauty for beauty’s sake? How can we make it visible in our ordinary days?
During the dark days of December, I am immensely grateful for the extravagant Christmas illuminations on most of the houses in our local area. Seeing my children’s faces light up (and mine) with the wonder of it all as we drive around for our annual Christmas lights tour, breaks up the monotony of the season and helps us feel more connected with our neighbours. We really appreciate their efforts at spreading childlike joy.
There is a mysterious giver of flowers around the corner from my home. Every now and again, on my way home from church on a Sunday, I’ve noticed a bucket filled with bouquets of fresh flowers, for anybody to simply take and enjoy. This has happened a few times now, but I remember the first time I noticed them I could hardly believe someone would be so generous and kind. I made my husband who was driving make an abrupt stop as I jumped out and grabbed a bunch, looked around for somebody to thank, then jumped back in clutching my prize. The flowers were stunning, and brightened what had been a difficult morning that particular day.
One of our elderly neighbours secretly takes our bin out for us ( along with his own) on bin collection day and also brings it back in! He often beats us to it by bringing it out extra early. Why? I have no idea. Just because. I tried to thank him one day and he denied it was him ( I didn’t mention I had seen him do it with my own eyes). This neighbourly act of kindness means all the more to me when I think about how hostile and avoidant our other neighbours can be. Sometimes just getting eye contact to say hello to them feels like a battle of wills.
These are just a few examples of small but meaningful ways I have been encouraged by others. Their acts of generosity and kindness spur me on to do likewise, to pay it forward in some way, shape or form. As believers we have the advantage here, we can add to our good works- faith, hope and love. We can leave a lasting legacy of good works with an eternal impact. May we show our faith by our good works, and faithfully bring glory to our Father in heaven.
‘What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?In the same way faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith by my works.’ ( James 2: 14-18 CSB)