It’s the second week of Lent, Day 14. Today we focus on gratitude. Yesterday was the last day of February and a day to observe the first of the spring Ember Days. There are three objectives for Embers Days during this time: the first is to thank God for the season of Spring — the time of the celebration of new life, new birth, and renewal. Secondly, we ask God to bless the fruits of the earth and our labor. We are grateful for the strength to do work, to get our hands dirty and build, plant, and create. Finally, we ask Him to give grace and blessing to those who are called to lead and minister — in equipping and teaching, in shepherding, in worship and prayer.
Today, on the first day of March, we offer up prayers of gratitude and thanks, recognizing the blessings that surround us. The good gifts that come from the Lord, from our neighbors and friends who have given to us in times of need to just to be a blessing. We think of those who are struggling during this time. Recently, we had flooding in the area and many people lost possessions, memories, and keepsakes.
During this time, let’s consider how we can bless someone. I watched this video the other day about a pastor who ordered a pizza, and when the lady from Domino’s came to the church, they brought her on stage and prayed for her and the pastor gave her $100 tip. That was pretty amazing. Then he asked ten people to come up and give a blessing gift too. What happened next was that not just ten people came up, but person after person after person just kept coming up – laying down gifts of cash into a rapidly growing pile. She was in tears. She said she was a single Mom and that this was just so amazing. After that, they prayed for her and blessed her. It was beautiful, touching, and overwhelming. I am sure she never imagined a pizza delivery would end like this. But just that act of kindness, where people showed the power of giving and helping out a fellow human being with a completely unexpected opportunity to bless… wow. That kind of stuff gets me excited. So think about it. Look for ways to do something special and out of the ordinary that will just make someone’s day. Look for organizations that help people in need, that fund adoptions, that build homes and provide education. Volunteer your time. Give your talents and abilities to bring positive change in someone’s life. Be generous! It’s so fun!
Matthew 10:42 says, “This is a large work I’ve called you into, but don’t be overwhelmed by it. It’s best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won’t lose out on a thing.”
“Let’s be honest. It’s easy to go to a church service, it’s easy to read the Bible, it’s easy to discuss who believes what and who’s right and who’s wrong. It’s easy. But when Jesus talks about his followers, he talks about people who are generous, people who clothe the naked, take food to the hungry, take water to the thirsty, people who visit the prisoner, people who invite the stranger in, people who give their time, people who give their energy, people who give their money.
The best question isn’t, ‘What can I get?’ To take the way of Jesus seriously, is to realize that the best question is, ‘What can I give?’ Because all of us can give something – here, now, today, and then tomorrow and then the next day. What can you do to be more generous? What is the next step for you? You have been blessed. What can you give? Who are you going to bless?” — Rob Bell, Nooma Rich