The Littlest For The Least Means The Most

I have a beautiful scarf.
The scarf was handmade for me.
Handmade by a friend of my youngest daughter.
I admired it and was intrigued when she told me how the scarf was made.

I asked this sweet young woman to make a scarf for me.
I would only accept it, if she allowed me to pay for it.
I don’t charge for my scarves; the yarn is very inexpensive.
I wanted to encourage her in her endeavor: Your time and talent are worth it.

She objected but her objections fell on deaf ears.
The scarf was given to me about two weeks later when my daughter saw her again.
It is lovely, it makes warm folds around my neck.
It actually reminds me of a fisherman’s net.

The scarf was entirely knitted by hand.
Literally, by hand.
Her hands were the knitting needles.
She told me that she could make a scarf in about an hour.

Even after her verbal tutorial, I was lost.
I do not have a mind for such things.
Words, yes; knitting, no.
This was her unique talent worth far more than the price of the scarf.

I thought of this young woman yesterday as I saw a picture that intrigued me.

It was a picture of a colorful scarf wrapped around a tree.
A couple, out walking, noticed the scarves and took a picture to remember the scene.
The scarves were placed around trees, light posts, and poles.
There was a note attached to the scarf.

AM NOT LOST! If you need this to stay warm, then please take it. It is yours.
Be warm, and do something to help someone else today if you can.

Paying forward.
Doing something for a total stranger.
Expecting nothing in return.
Nothing except the challenge to go and do likewise.

The challenge was not just about making scarves.

There is a pizza shop in Philadelphia that feeds the homeless.
Paying customers will come in and buy their pizza and pay for an extra slice.
They will write some encouraging words on a post-it note and place it on the wall.
The pizza shop wall is covered with post-it notes from paying customers.

Many of the homeless people come into the pizza shop on a daily basis.
They each grab a post it note off the wall and exchange it for a slice of pizza.
The owner admits that he gives away about 40 slices of pizza each day.
Since this pay forward program began, he has given out about 8,000 slices.

When He noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, He told them this parable: When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you, will come and say to you, “Give this man your seat.” Then humiliated you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, “Friend, move up to a better place.” Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. (Luke 14:7-14)

Pay forward.
Scarves around trees.
Post-it notes on the wall.
Doing something for someone and expecting nothing in return.

Except, paying forward does have a payback.
That payback is the intrinsic satisfaction that in a small way you made a difference.
In a quiet way, you showed them the love of Christ.
In an anonymous way, you made HIM known.

We are that homeless person, who needs a way Home.
We are the one who needs the Bread of Life and the Living Water.
We are the ones who take the Post-It Note off the wall.
The Words go deep into our heart.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Jesus paid forward the debt we could not pay.
Jesus provided the food we could never get on our own.
Jesus provided the protection we need from the prevailing winds of this world.
The note attached to His gift is appropriate.

YOU ARE NOT LOST!
You are found in Me.
You have the warmth of My love surrounding you.
You have My provision to sustain you.

The Gift is yours.
Now, go and tell.
Others are cold and hungry.
The debt has been paid forward for you, by Me, your Lord and Savior.

What can you do in a small quiet way to make Him known today?

 

2 responses to “The Littlest For The Least Means The Most”

1. So true! If everyone did just one little good thing every day, think how the world would be changed. If you can’t get out, you can pray for someone (or many someones). Each of us is a little light, shining to show Jesus to those around us. Are our lights turned on?

   Reply

   • Sue,
     It only takes one small thing.
     But what if ALL of us did one small thing?
     Can you imagine?
     Gina

     Reply