I have always known that ministry multiplies. What do I mean by that? When one person does ministry for another person, it encourages them in some way to minister to someone else. So in that sense ministry seems at times to multiply itself. Said another way, one random act of kindness breeds other random acts of kindness. There is a residual effect at work.
A series of events occurred yesterday afternoon that illustrate the point. If you are reading this blog I am going to assume you know my wife had shoulder surgery three weeks ago yesterday. But I understand I have some readers from outside our church, so I guess I should not assume that. She is getting better gradually, but it has been a slow process for her. Dave Barrett (a member at Bethel for readers who don't attend our church) had almost the exact same surgery done. Dave said he did not get a good nights sleep until four weeks after the surgery. He said the pain meds didn't touch the pain. So he just suffered through. I tried to tell my wife going in that it was going to be a tough recovery. Let me state plainly before God, the holy angels, and the readers of this blog that I tried to tell her. But she thought she was going to have surgery and be ready for push ups and chin ups within 48 hours, and be back to work within three or four days. So far, to her surprise, her recovery experience has mirrored that of Dave Barrett.
With Kay slowly recovering, I have taken primary responsibility for making sure there are meals for our family to eat each night. This is challenging because my repertoire is somewhat limited when it comes to cooking. Fortunate for me, my kids think McDonalds' is a five star restaurant. But last night we had a very special treat. Two precious ladies from the church made dinner and brought it by! Honey ham, macaroni and cheese, green beans, dinner rolls, and brownies for desert. Can I get a witness, a hallelujah, and an amen please?
This is how that ministry was multiplied. Yesterday I had a couple of hospital visits to make and several other "loose ends" that had to be tied down before I could call it a day. I also needed to get home, pick up my son Ross and get back to the church in time for 5:00pm Upward football practice. (I am head coach of the Ravens!!). I thought to myself, "I need to get home in time to try to get something going for dinner." Then the thought occurred to me, "Wait, two of our friends from the church are bringing dinner tonight!! I do not have to worry about that. That gives me more time this afternoon." Right about that time the Holy Spirit brought to my mind one of our members who is going through a really tough time right now. She has been teaching Sunday School at Bethel longer than I have been alive. (I probably just gave it away for some of you right there). The Lord just spoke softly into my spirit and told me to go see her and encourage her....after all, you have some extra time now.
Those two ladies that brought the meal to our home last night had no idea, that in an indirect way they were helping minister to a faithful member of our congregation by their act of kindness to our family.
Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Do something randomly kind for someone else, and sit back and watch God multiply it.
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