One Cup of Water
We ducked our heads and hurried along the village road, red-dirt water running in rivulets as the raindrops fell. I had my sweatshirt on so the hood could keep my head dry, even if it was technically too warm and humid for it.
So far not one family had invited us inside their home as our small group walked around the village handing out goody-bags to the children and inviting everyone to our outreach planned for that evening. Then the rain had started and gotten heavier; there also weren't as many houses along this particular road.
Suddenly, a house, with a young mother inviting us in. We left our shoes outside on the tiny porch and entered the small home. To the American eye, the possessions seemed a strange array haphazardly organized, but the Thai woman's smile was genuine and her manner sweet. We all sat together on the floor, and before she joined us she turned on a fan and faced it towards us to make a small breeze in the still, humid air.
Too shy to say more than a greeting in Thai, we let our two guides do most of the talking, with some occasional interpretation. The woman's smile was beautiful as she talked and sometimes laughed. Partway through, she asked us if we'd like some water. Accepting our host's gracious and thoughtful offer, we watched as she got a large bottle of water from the tiny refrigerator; the glasses were taken off of a cabinet on the other side of the room. When we had received our cup of cold water, the conversation continued. She was not of the Christian faith and was leery of our prayers, but she hosted us with every welcoming charm of a southern heiress back in the States. There was a sense of desiring something more, despite her wariness. When we said goodbye and put our shoes back on outside, we saw the sun shining again, the air hotter than it was before. We went away happy, excited that we finally got to share with someone for longer than a few minutes and gushing over how sweet that woman was.
Back home in the United States - I no longer recall how long after Thailand it was - I rediscovered Matthew 10:42: "And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward." Similarly, Mark 9:41 says, "For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." My mind instantly flashed back to the sweet woman who gave us just that - a cup of water.
Do you ever feel like a cup of water you give isn't enough, isn't important, like no one even sees such a small thing?
I do.
I go on mission trips and wonder what I can truly bring to the table for my Master - I'm not overly good with children; I'm not very strong and good at building; I don't have exceptional (or much of any) musical skill; I'm more quiet and reserved, not the life of any party or gathering. I'm not a good cook or even always very good at knowing what needs to be done next.
So what do I bring? Is that word of encouragement, that smile, that short conversation with someone else to show them they matter, letting others get in line before you...is that anything?
Jesus sees it and says it is definitely something.
So what do you bring? What is your cup of water?
So far not one family had invited us inside their home as our small group walked around the village handing out goody-bags to the children and inviting everyone to our outreach planned for that evening. Then the rain had started and gotten heavier; there also weren't as many houses along this particular road.
Suddenly, a house, with a young mother inviting us in. We left our shoes outside on the tiny porch and entered the small home. To the American eye, the possessions seemed a strange array haphazardly organized, but the Thai woman's smile was genuine and her manner sweet. We all sat together on the floor, and before she joined us she turned on a fan and faced it towards us to make a small breeze in the still, humid air.
Too shy to say more than a greeting in Thai, we let our two guides do most of the talking, with some occasional interpretation. The woman's smile was beautiful as she talked and sometimes laughed. Partway through, she asked us if we'd like some water. Accepting our host's gracious and thoughtful offer, we watched as she got a large bottle of water from the tiny refrigerator; the glasses were taken off of a cabinet on the other side of the room. When we had received our cup of cold water, the conversation continued. She was not of the Christian faith and was leery of our prayers, but she hosted us with every welcoming charm of a southern heiress back in the States. There was a sense of desiring something more, despite her wariness. When we said goodbye and put our shoes back on outside, we saw the sun shining again, the air hotter than it was before. We went away happy, excited that we finally got to share with someone for longer than a few minutes and gushing over how sweet that woman was.
Back home in the United States - I no longer recall how long after Thailand it was - I rediscovered Matthew 10:42: "And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward." Similarly, Mark 9:41 says, "For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." My mind instantly flashed back to the sweet woman who gave us just that - a cup of water.
Do you ever feel like a cup of water you give isn't enough, isn't important, like no one even sees such a small thing?
I do.
I go on mission trips and wonder what I can truly bring to the table for my Master - I'm not overly good with children; I'm not very strong and good at building; I don't have exceptional (or much of any) musical skill; I'm more quiet and reserved, not the life of any party or gathering. I'm not a good cook or even always very good at knowing what needs to be done next.
So what do I bring? Is that word of encouragement, that smile, that short conversation with someone else to show them they matter, letting others get in line before you...is that anything?
Jesus sees it and says it is definitely something.
So what do you bring? What is your cup of water?
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