Jess and I struggle from time to time with the thankless job of providing. Yes, it’s thankless, almost always. It got me thinking today as I was feeling “grumpy” and hurt about not getting thanked this week.
I remembered the story of a man (let’s call him Jim) who helped his neighbor (lets call him Bob). Bob was sick, Jim cut his lawn without being asked. As Bob continued to be sick for some time, Jim just kept cutting the lawn. Week after week, grass turned to snow shovelling, and eventually back to lawn care. At first there were some random thank-yous and words of appreciation. Slowly that faded into smiles and nods but eventually that even disappeared. It just became “what Jim did”. The next winter Jim noticed Bob was doing more activities. One day Jim noticed Bob’s car loaded up with skis and winter accessories. The next weekend Bob was loaded up to go snowmobiling. Jim had never asked for anything in return, he just helped Bob, that was it. Jim had felt compassion for Bob in a time of need.
The next snowfall came, Jim left the snow on Bob’s driveway and sidewalk. Jim didn’t clear the snow from the snowplow either. Jim simply cleared his own and left the neighbors as is… Bob opened the garage door that fate-filled morning and with how deep the snow was on the driveway, he couldn’t get to work… With great indignance, Bob stormed over and launched a formal complaint on the front step of Jim’s home. Bob cited how he was going to be late for work because of the inept behavior of Jim. “How can you treat me so poorly!” Bob bellowed through the door as to make sure his words would pass Jims wife and clearly reach Jim’s selfish ears! Everyone in the neighborhood would now be clear on how worthless a fellow Jim was… not clearing the driveway in a timely manner…. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!
As Bob stormed off back home, he saw Jim’s wife walking over, winter boots, parka and a snow shovel. Bob spun around, rised his voice…. starting his rant about how lazy her husband must be to send his wife out to do his job… She simply replied “I’m sorry for my husband’s neglect, I will be handling the snow removal from now on, you see, Jim had a heart attack this morning before he got to your driveway and he died.”
I know this is a made up story about a man that was in need and came to expect and feel entitled to Jim’s labor, but how often do we do that same thing? Ohh I’m sure the names are different, and the expectations are different. It may be “Snap” or maybe it’s called “public benefits”, “Economic assistance” or “Financial assistance”… or maybe it is snow removal or lawn mowing…
My point is this, if we are doing something out of the goodness of our hearts, we should give like Jim’s wife gave. The goodness of our giving should always point to the goodness of God who gave more than any person can give… God gave us what we don’t deserve. And keeps giving.
God gave us eternal life, how do we repay God? Do we go skiing? Do we go snowmobiling? Do we make sure to catch the big game on Sunday morning? Do we become indignant when we feel like we deserve More? Or do we shovel our neighbor’s driveway, expecting nothing in return? Do we go to church? Do we read his word? Do we want to get to know God? Invite God over to our house? I know I don’t give God all he deserves, how about you?
Find someone today, say thank you. Then find that dusty old bible, read Proverb chapter1 verse 7.
Give thanks today because you have a lot to be thankful for, and let somebeody who helps you know they are appreciated.
In the service of our Lord, C.
