Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself (Philippians 2:3 NKJV).

Recently I was the recipient of some thoughtfulness. It was such a blessing to me. It was Father's Day. Someone left some banana nut bread on my desk at the church. My grandma McGrath used to make me banana nut bread. I not only love it, but it brings back pleasant memories of her. Also, someone handed me a little box wrapped in white tissue paper with a red ribbon. I opened it up and it was a box with four chocolate samplers in it. They were gone before I got home — don't tell my wife. Then my daughter brought over an old homemade ice cream maker and made me banana pudding ice cream. I love banana pudding and I like ice cream, so this was a double treat.

It wasn't the food items that were the most important to me, even though they were all really good. The thoughtfulness behind those things warmed my heart.

Think of a way to be a blessing!

We can get so busy, and often we are just looking out for ourselves. The world would be a much more enjoyable and pleasant place if we could be more thoughtful of one another.

I was even thoughtful one time. I was eating at a restaurant for a minister's meeting and as I was checking out I noticed something that I thought my wife would like. It was a great big chocolate bar in the shape of a 100 dollar bill. She is an admitted chocoholic. She has a large coffee (or hot chocolate) mug that says "God brings no stress that chocolate and prayer can't handle." When I gave it to her, she had a big smile on her face. I think that the fact that I was thinking about her, meant as much as all the chocolate (maybe).

Let's do what Paul encouraged Christians in Asia to do: let's be kind and tenderhearted toward one another (Ephesians 4:32). Think of a way to be a blessing to someone this week. They'll enjoy what you did, but even more, they'll be blessed to know that you were thinking of them.

 

Print this Article Send it to a Friend Heartlight encourages you to share this material with others in church bulletins, personal emails and other non-commercial uses. Please see our Usage Guidelines for more information.	Market Place Moments The Value of Thank You Thoughtfulness
	ALL of Heartlight        --- ARTICLES   A Taste of Home   Caring Touch   Diary of God   Hope for Life   Hope from the Hill Country   Just for Men   Just for Women   Leading in Hope   Love, Sex & Marriage   Making Life Work   Prayer for the Nation   Single...Not Alone   Special Features   Timely Truths   Together in His Grace   Two Minute Meditations        --- DEVOTIONALS   Charles Spurgeon   Daily Wisdom   My Utmost for His Highest   Praying with Paul   Quotemeal   Today's Verse   What Jesus Did

© 2008 Mike Barres.

Title: "Thoughtfulness"
Author: Mike Barres
Publication Date: July 10, 2008

Waking the Dead: The Glory of a Heart Fully Alive by John Eldredge Will lead you to understand how to live from the heart, care for your heart like the treasures of the kingdom, and give from fullness instead of emptiness.

Mike is a pastor and writer for a number of online publications.

More Heartlight Feeds

Get Heartlight articles and devotionals by email FREE every day! Daily Heartlight Today's Verse What Jesus Did! Quotemeal

More Information