I was so impressed this week as I watched all those serving our children at our Daily Vacation Bible School. As a pastor, it was very gratifying to walk around the campus and see ministry taking place and the great influence all the workers had with each of the children.
Here's a good story that will encourage your day...
Miss Thompson taught Teddy Stallard in the fourth grade. He was a slow, unkempt student, a loner shunned by his classmates.
The previous year his mother died, and what little motivation for school he may have once had was now gone.
Miss Thompson did not particularly care for Teddy either, but at Christmas time he brought her a small present.
Miss Thompson's desk was covered with well-wrapped presents from the other children, but Teddy's came in a brown sack.
When she opened it there was a gaudy rhinestone bracelet with half the stones missing and a bottle of cheap perfume.
The children began to snicker but Miss Thompson saw the importance of the moment.
She quickly splashed on some perfume and put on the bracelet, pretending Teddy had given her something special.
At the end of the day Teddy worked up enough courage to softly say, "Miss Thompson, you smell just like my mother . . . and her bracelet looks real pretty on you too.
I am glad you like my presents."
After Teddy left, Miss Thompson got down on her knees and prayed for Gods forgiveness.
She prayed for God to use her as she sought to not only teach these children but to love them as well. She became a new teacher.
She lovingly helped students like Teddy and by the end of the year he had caught up with most of the students.
Miss Thompson did not hear from Teddy for a long time. Then she received this note: "Dear Miss Thompson, I wanted you to be the first to know. I will be graduating second in my class. Love, Teddy Stallard."
Four years later she got another note: "Dear Miss Thompson, They just told me I will be graduating first in my class. I wanted you to be the first to know. The university has not been easy, but I liked it. Love, Teddy Stallard."
Four years later: "Dear Miss Thompson, As of today, I am Theodore Stallard, M.D. How about that? I wanted you to be the first to know. I am getting married next month. I want you to come and sit where my mother would sit if she were alive. You are the only family I have now; Dad died last year. Love, Teddy Stallard."
Miss Thompson went to the wedding and sat where Teddy's mother would have sat.
She made a difference. She let God use her as an instrument of his love an instrument of encouragement.
Some of the greatest blessings in life come when you humbly realize someone else is more important than you are.
If you want to be somebody, put others before yourself. It is as simple as that. I
Now we, as Christians are always under a microscope.
Are you living a life worthy of being called a child of God Or are yo just .....a hypocrite wearing a mask.
Who are you trying to impress?
Become great ...... by becoming a servant. Become the greatest ....... by being the servant of all.
A pompous-looking deacon was trying to impress upon a class of boys the importance of living the Christian life.
"Why do people call me a Christian?" the man asked.
After a moments pause, one youngster said, "Maybe it is because they do not know you."
Christ said I come to serve not to be served.
What influences do you have or could you have with others?
Your influence is measured by your willingness to serve others.
Let me share with you this final story:
During the American Revolution a man in civilian clothes rode past a group of soldiers repairing a small defensive barrier.
Their leader was shouting instructions, but made no attempt to help them.
Asked why by the rider, he retorted with great dignity, "Sir, I am a corporal!"
The stranger apologized, dismounted, and proceeded to help the exhausted soldiers.
The job done, .......he turned to the corporal and said, "Mr. Corporal, next time you have a job like this and not enough men to do it, go to your commander-in-chief, and I will come and help you again."
The strangers name was George Washington.
I conclude this morning with these thoughts from people who are far greater than I am..
These thoughts come from two of the greatest servants this world has ever known. Mother Teresa and D. L. Moody.
--Mother Teresa
"Let no one come to you without feeling better and happier when they leave."
--D. L. Moody
"The measure of a man is not how many servants he has, but how many he serves."
From a humble and grateful pastor - Thank you for all that you do in the service of our king!
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