|
It is a great testimony to this world when a believer leaves a positive
impact on those around them. Whether we realize it or not, many people are
watching our walk with the Lord to see if we are practicing what we preach.
I encourage you to always be a light in a dark situation and show the
Christ that lives within you so that others can witness the Love that God
has placed in your heart.
I hope you will be encouraged by this story that shows what great results
can come forth when we stay committed in being loving and caring towards
those around us.
THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS DO
Jack tossed the papers on my desk -- his eyebrows knit into a straight line
as he glared at me. "What's wrong?" I asked. He jabbed a finger at the
proposal. "Next time you want to change anything, ask me first," he said,
turning on his heels and leaving me stewing in anger.
How dare he treat me like that, I thought. I had changed one long
sentence, and corrected grammar -- something I thought I was paid to do.
It's not that I hadn't been warned. The other women, who had served in my
place before me, called him names I couldn't repeat. One co-worker took
me aside the first day. "He's personally responsible for two different
secretaries leaving the firm," she whispered.
As the weeks went by, I grew to despise Jack. It was against everything I
believed in -- turn the other cheek and love your enemies. But Jack quickly
slapped a verbal insult on any cheek turned his way. I prayed about it,
but to be honest, I wanted to put him in his place, not love him.
One day, another of his episodes left me in tears. I stormed into his
office, prepared to lose my job if needed, but not before I let the man
know how I felt. I opened the door and Jack glanced up.
"What?" he said abruptly.
Suddenly I knew what I had to do. After all, he deserved it.
I sat across from him. "Jack, the way you've been treating me is wrong.
I've never had anyone speak to me that way. As a professional, it's wrong,
and it's wrong for me to allow it to continue," I said.
Jack snickered nervously and leaned back in his chair. I closed my eyes
briefly. God help me, I prayed.
"I want to make you a promise. I will be a friend," I said. "I will treat
you as you deserve to be treated, with respect and kindness. You deserve
that," I said. "Everybody does." I slipped out of the chair and closed
the door behind me.
Jack avoided me the rest of the week. Proposals, specs, and letters
appeared on my desk while I was at lunch, and the corrected versions were
not seen again. I brought cookies to the office one day and left a batch
on Jack's desk. Another day I left a note. "Hope your day is going
great," it read.
Over the next few weeks, Jack reappeared. He was reserved, but there were
no other episodes. Co-workers cornered me in the break room.
"Guess you got to Jack," they said. "You must have told him off good." I
shook my head.
"Jack and I are becoming friends," I said in faith. I refused to talk
about him. Every time I saw Jack in the hall, I smiled at him.
After all, that's what friends do.
One year after our "talk", I discovered I had breast cancer. I was 32, the
mother of three beautiful young children, and scared. The cancer had
metastasized to my lymph nodes and the statistics were not great for long-
term survival. After surgery, I visited with friends and loved ones who
tried to find the right words to say. No one knew what to say. Many said
the wrong things. Others wept, and I tried to encourage them. I clung to hope.
The last day of my hospital stay, the door darkened and Jack stood
awkwardly on the threshold. I waved him in with a smile and he walked over
to my bed and, without a word, placed a bundle beside me. Inside lay
several bulbs.
"Tulips," he said.
I smiled, not understanding.
He cleared his throat. "If you plant them when you get home, they'll come
up next spring." He shuffled his feet. "I just wanted you to know that I
think you'll be there to see them when they come up."
Tears clouded my eyes and I reached out my hand.
"Thank you," I whispered.
Jack grasped my hand and gruffly replied, "You're welcome. You can't see
it now, but next spring you'll see the colors I picked out for you." He
turned and left without a word.
I have seen those red and white striped tulips push through the soil every
spring for over ten years now. In fact, this September the doctor will
declare me cured. I've seen my children graduate from high school and
enter college.
In a moment when I prayed for just the right word, a man with very few
words said all the right things.
After all, that's what friends do.
By T. Suzanne Eller
http://daretobelieve.org/
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Romans 12:17-21 "Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest
in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live
peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather
give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay,
saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst,
give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus says, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is
set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it
under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are
in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
1 John 4:7-11 "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and
every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not
knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God
toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that
we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that
He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved,
if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another."
1 Peter 3:8-12 "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of
another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil
for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that
ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that
will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil,
and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good;
let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the
righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers…"
All scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: WISE WORDS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem109.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: GOD'S ALIVE AND WELL
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony34.htm
In Christ's Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
