It is very important that we pay attention to the seeds that we sow into
the lives of others. Our actions are sometimes unnoticed by ourselves,
but that does not mean someone else isn't being affected by what we are
doing. I hope this story will minister to your heart to be more sensitive
to those around you and remind you to treat others the way you yourself
would want to be treated. 


THE WOODEN BOWL 

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-
old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and
his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly
grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. 

Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk
spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated 
with the mess. "We must do something about Grandfather," said the son.
"I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather
ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather 
had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. 

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a 
tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for
him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. 

The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, 
the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He 
asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy 
responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your 
food when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. 

The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears 
started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew
what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and 
gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he
ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor 
wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or 
the tablecloth soiled.

Author Unknown


God has placed us on this earth as His hands and feet to be an example to
others. Let us not look at the faults of others without first looking at
our own faults. There is nobody that is absolutely perfect except for the
Lord. Knowing that we to have faults, let us love and care for those 
around us and set an example of love and righteousness before all who see
us. Jesus says in John 13:35, "By this all will know that you are My 
disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 8:7) (Isaiah 6:1-5)

I hope this message has struck a chord in your heart to be kind and loving
to those around you, not looking at their faults but seeing the good that
is within them. When all of us grasp this simple concept that Love 
conquers all, we will truly be changing this world into a better place.


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Deuteronomy 5:16 "Honor your father and mother, as the LORD your God 
commanded you. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD 
your God will give you."

Galatians 6:7-9 "Don't be misled. Remember that you can't ignore God and
get away with it. You will always reap what you sow! Those who live only
to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay
and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting
life from the Spirit. So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get
discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the
appropriate time."

Proverbs 22:4-6 "True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor,
and long life. The deceitful walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever 
values life will stay away. Teach your children to choose the right path,
and when they are older, they will remain upon it."

Luke 6:27-31 Jesus says, "But if you are willing to listen, I say, love 
your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for the happiness of 
those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on
one cheek, turn the other cheek. If someone demands your coat, offer your
shirt also. Give what you have to anyone who asks you for it; and when 
things are taken away from you, don't try to get them back. Do for others
as you would like them to do for you."

All scriptures can be found in the New Living Translation.


In Christ's Service, 

Dwayne Savaya 
Gods Work Ministry