[Friday's Devotional] - Thoughtfulness

In many ways this tends to encompass all we have looked at this week.  Our thoughtful acts can be seen through generosity, hope, truthfulness, or humility, because we have to think about what we should do before we actually do it.

 

And yet we have so many excuses as to why we do not apply more thoughtfulness to our lives.  If I give a lift to my friend, will it take me a bit out of my way, using more petrol and making me tight for time, perhaps making me a couple of minutes late for something important to me?  If I offer to help with something will it mean I might miss doing something I enjoy for once?  If I loan a colleague some money ‘for a couple of days’ will I get it back in time for my Saturday night out with friends.  Huh!  He/she never does a favour for me when I need one, let them struggle like I have to.

 

What goes around comes around. I know it’s a cliché but couldn’t we break the circle with a little bit of thoughtfulness?

 

If we could offer a helping hand, or a useful tip when we see a person struggling with a problem.  If we could drop a couple of small coins into the collecting tin, so that now it rattles when shaken.  If we could give the real reason someone wasn’t picked for the team, or why they didn’t get the job you interviewed them for.  If we could accept without making snide remarks, that the person getting a leading part in something might possibly do it better than we could.  If any of our actions could make one person smile, wouldn’t it be worth it?  Think about it......yes?.....go on, let’s do something about it this week.  A thoughtful word or action, you can do it, so can I.  Go on, do it, and tell me next time we meet, and I will tell you mine.

 

Oh, and by the way, He will be smiling too. Looking down and thinking “I knew he/she could do it and I know the difference it can make.  Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

 

Lord, help us develop that thoughtful attitude which can make such a difference to someone, somewhere. Even if we can’t see it, we know that you will be smiling. Amen.

 

 

Jim Finch.