A few months ago my friend, Kelly, and I had some good laughs with the young man who had just handed us our food in the Chick-Fil-A drive through. It dawned on me that our encounter, though brief, had transformed a usually perfunctory experience into something more...something like ministry. And it all took less than a minute to share some joy in the midst of the ordinary.
I began to wonder about some ways other people might minister to someone in just a minute or two. So, I emailed some friends and asked them to respond with their thoughts on how ministry can happen in just a moment if we are intentional. They sent such great ideas my way, and I can't resist sharing a few with you...
- Ask the grocery store clerk for the name of their favorite candy bar, and then buy it for them. --Susie, Church Member, Springfield, Missouri
- Flash a really big smile at someone, and don't stop until they return one of their own. --Rebecca, Project Hope Missionary, Managua, Nicaragua
- Pull your neighbors' bin into their driveway at the end of trash day. --Betsy, Worship Leader, Springfield, Missouri
- Tell someone, "Thank you," who may not normally receive thanks for the job they do (e.g., a maintenance worker, receptionist, etc.). --Gwen, Wife of a Navy Chaplain, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
- Pray for the person next to you at a stop light. --Joey, Church Member, Springfield, Missouri
- Buy the meal of the person behind you in the drive through line. --Staci, Church Member, Springfield, Missouri
- Listen. Really listen by giving someone your undivided attention. --Jane, Women's Ministry Leader, Topeka, Kansas
- Reach out and touch someone as you pass them in the hallway. A simple pat on the shoulder can go a very long way! --Belinda, Women's Ministry Leader, Birmingham, Alabama
- Ask your waiter or waitress how you can pray for them, and then do it! --Cindy, Church Member, San Antonio Texas
- Keep small surprises in your purse, and then share one with a tired child who is out shopping with her mom. --Rebecca, Project Hope Missionary, Managua, Nicaragua
One of the girls in my Bible study recently told me that she lived on a hug I gave her all week long! So I've been reminded that ministry doesn't always have to include a well thought out program, a sign up sheet or even the application of my administrative skills. It can happen anywhere, anytime...in just a minute.
I want my life to count for Christ, every minute of it, and I intend to put some of these ideas to work this coming week. I hope you'll join me.
Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in summer; coneys are creatures of little power; yet, they make their home in crags; locusts have no king, yet they advance. together in ranks; a lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in the kings' palaces. (Prov. 30:24-28)
Enough hours in our day...!, March 10, 2010
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