Living to Inspire
A while back, I was stopped at a red light waiting to pull out of Wal-Mart. I noticed a homeless man in front of me holding a bucket and a sign that read, “Please help.” As I sat there those couple of minutes, I began to think about this man.
I wondered why on earth wouldn’t he just get some sort of job. He looked strong and healthy enough to work, but instead, he stood there all day asking others for help. After awhile, I concluded that this man was simply lazy and wanted others to take care of him.
While thinking these critical thoughts about this poor man, I watched the gentleman in front of me roll down his window, smile and drop some money in the man’s bucket. When I saw this, something in me changed. Compassion welled up inside of me. Before I knew it, I too, was rolling down my window, smiling and putting money in the man’s bucket.
I no longer cared what this man had done or not done. I just wanted to be kind to this stranger. Why? Because I was inspired by someone else’s act of kindness. Their actions changed my outlook and my attitude. This is a simple illustration with a profound truth - we all have the ability to motivate others to do good things.
Hebrews 10:24 tells us, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” As a Texan, I know what spurs do. They are those uncomfortable nudges that cause us to move in the right direction.
God has positioned us as women to help move each other and those around us in the right direction. We are wives, moms, co-workers, friends and sisters, and our lives have incredible influence to those in our world. In doing so, it’s important to remember that it’s not all in what we say, but it’s in what we do day in and day out that makes the greatest impact.
It’s how we treat our husbands and care for our kids. It’s in how we encourage our friends and reach out to those in need. It’s how we choose to do the right things when we feel like doing something else. It’s how we stay committed and faithful to the people and place God has called us.
Today, let me remind you of this: every day we are spurring someone on to become a better person. If we’ll seek to motivate others, we’ll be amazed at what our right actions will produce and inspire in the lives of those in our world.
Tamara Graff
Victoria, TX Faith Family Church
www.faithfamilyvictoria.org
