Can I Help?

They came home from school in the normal rush — book bags swinging and arms full with “extras” from the day. The homey, yellow and blue kitchen was already smelling of the evening meal and that added to the happiness that the school day was over!

The work schedule of one of our children called for an early supper time. Finishing the last preparations, I heard a little voice say, “Mom, can I help?”

Wow! I was so pleased that he would offer! “Sure,” I said, my mind racing around the things left to do to engage something a six year old could accomplish himself. “You can put the forks around the table,” I commented happily,” right on those napkins is where they go.”

He squinted up his nose and gave me a grin. Then he said, “ I was thinking I could help cut the watermelon.”

I smiled. He wanted to use a large butcher knife and head into a job way to big for a six year old! He saw that melon sitting on the counter. It looked so inviting — and he was NOT a baby anymore. (He had already told me!) He was big and strong! He didn’t want to put forks around! He wanted to cut the watermelon!

With a little convincing, he put the forks around — the spoons too—and he learned to do it neatly. He accomplished the task I needed and was a big help — even if he didn’t cut the watermelon!

A sobering thought hit me — right there in the kitchen. Isn’t that what we do as Christians sometimes? We love the Lord and we are enthused to win the world for Him! After all, we desire to carry out His commission! We head off for the task — the way we think we should — we all want to cut the watermelon!

Then, in His gentle, leading way He asks us — “would you mind putting the forks around?” Its so tempting to look around and say, “but they’re cutting the watermelon!”

The thing is, we each have a job to do. Not all of us can be “watermelon cutters!” Each of us have a purpose within His plan! Sometimes it takes a new surrender to what HE desires! The glorious fulfillment of servant filled living is realized when we simply do what He asks us to do — follow HIS commands. Its in the daily living — the daily “signing up for service” — the daily surrender.

His all seeing eye sees everything — His all containing wisdom knows best. It’s up to us to trust and follow — it’s up to Him to do the rest! He’s really good at running His world — and He knows just how we can help!

By Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG

Take it with You

“There are different kinds of gifs, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of workings, but the same God works all of them in all men.”

I Corinthians 12:1-3 NIV