“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:16 (NIV).
It blesses me when our children model for me how to be selfless and go out of their way to help others. They are putting actions to Matthew 5:16, which says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (NIV). It prompts me to wonder – how can I step it up and be a blessing to others as well?
I had the opportunity just a few months later to be a blessing to my family and watch our oldest step up to the challenge once again. We had some free coupons for ice cream. Two were for plain cones, one was for a one-scoop sundae, and one was a buy one, get one free two-scoop sundae. The one-scoop sundae was our oldest’s certificate, so the plan was to let our younger two get the plain cones, he get his one-scoop sundae and my husband and I get the two-scoop sundaes, in order of youngest to oldest. However, I decided I would rather give up my two-scoop sundae to our oldest if he was willing to give up his one-scoop sundae to his sister. Without telling him the possible reward, we asked if he’d be willing to let his sister have his sundae certificate. As he first considered the request, realizing it didn’t equal fairness in the way we presented it, he hesitated. However, within a few minutes, he decided to let her have the “reward” and he would be content with a plain cone. I enjoyed seeing the smile on his face when he found out he was receiving a greater reward of a two-scoop sundae for being willing to give up his one-scoop sundae. It made me happy that he was willing to give up his sundae when he thought he was getting a plain cone, but made me even happier to reward him with double of what he thought he was giving up.
Have you ever had the opportunity to bless someone unexpectedly? What was their reaction to your blessing?
© 2013 Cheri Swalwell