Dominos

II Corinthians 9:12 -- "This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God."

Sometimes, the small things we do have very large impacts ....

With each footstep the pebbles in the concrete-mix stair way seemed more abrasive - the toddler in my arms seemed heavier - while the purse hanging from my forearm seemed lighter. It wasn't that Brian had grown in the last five steps up to my little government subsidized apartment, or that my paycheck somehow shrank from the time I got out of the car to the time I reached the top of the stairs - it was just that - I knew that once I got to the door, the emptiness behind it would feel almost too heavy for me to carry alone. I was beginning to understand why divorce wasn't in God's perfect plan for people.


Single parenthood wasn't either.


When I finally raised my eyes from the tops of my shoes I was surprised to find several brown paper bags FILLED to the brim with groceries - sitting just in front of my apartment door. What?! Where in the world did they come from?


Once the initial shock of total surprise ebbed away and my senses returned to normal I startled little Brian - and all of my neighbors - by yelling out a truly heart felt [if not obnoxious] thank you, Lord!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lord!!!


And yes, I DID receive a number of loudly expressed sentiments in return as neighbors shouted back at me - not all of them nice and most of them colorful. But those were worth it, because my fellow single parent from across the way stuck her head out of her doorway to check on me. [We kind of kept an eye on each other.] "What is up with you?" she asked.


Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you - window of opportunity!


For the next several minutes I excitedly shared with her many of the prayers I'd spoken through out sleepless nights and rejoiced in her presence as I showed her the provisions of the Lord. I was able to share God's love along with some of my gifted groceries.

I don't really know who left the groceries at my door step, and I be THEY don't know the domino effect their small act of kindness had on my little apartment complex. But my neighbor was able to witness my effervescent thankfulness as I rejoiced in the glory of the Lord. Her excitement brought out other neighbors and SHE told THEM about it .... and on it went - like dominos.

You and I might never know the true effect we have when we serve our Father. Sometimes the little things we do seem like - well, little things. But more often than we realize - those little things have a growing and lasting impact on needy souls around us.

Food for thought.