“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”- Matthew 10:42(Message translation)  This was the verse I picked today for my SOAP journaling(search soap on my blog for more info for what that is and how)

O(observation)- this verse makes me think of another thing Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

A(my application of that verse)-  This verse jumped out at me because a group from our church has been going out and giving out free bottles of water, buying coffee for people, buying breakfasts at Burger and Bojangles.  This group of individuals have received so much from it.  They have enjoyed it on the giving end.

Blessing people is fun.  It is fun to say there is no catch when they ask,”What’s the catch?”  And it is fun to hear the stories of how it blessed them.  Example: a grandma who is courageously raising her grandkids is so thankful for the free breakfast.

This group is feeling more blessed than the ones receiving the free stuff.  So true that is more blessed to give than receive.

This is only the beginning.  I am excited for what God has in store for us.

One of my favorite quotations from Mother Teresa is ,”We can do no great things, only small things with great love.”  I think sometimes in our pride we can read that and respond, “well, I can do great things! I can accomplish big things!”  But to be honest our “great” things pale in comparison to the great sacrifice and love of Jesus and his dying on the cross to pay for our sins.  His great thing(his suffering and death) puts our things into perspective.  It is his great thing that motivates me to do small things with great love.

P(my prayer as in response to the verse)- Jesus help me and our church to give more and more and to continually increase in serving/blessing our community.  May we reflect your great love with our small acts.