Visitors

I had some guests this past weekend. VIP’s. My daughter and her boyfriend came home from IU for a visit.

I haven’t seen Lisa since August, so mentioning that I was looking forward to seeing her would be a gross understatement.

To celebrate her arrival, I kicked it into mom-mode, maid-mode, chef-mode, and any other mode that might help me get everything ready. I bought Lis her favorite lunch from Buffalo Wild Wings, loaded the frig with a few of her favorite recipes, scoured the house, and did a mountain of laundry in order to free up the washing machine so I could do her laundry when it arrived.

While she was sweet to thank me, I don’t think any of my efforts really impacted her one way or another. More than anything else, she seemed to appreciate the times we spent talking, laughing, and watching a movie together.

I tend to overdo. Endeavoring to please others and God, it is sometimes the simple thing, not the extravagant display which means more. Taking a minute to write a note or make a phone call usually has much greater impact than inviting 12 women to a 3 course meal around a perfectly decorated table. Responding to God’s nudge to take a walk with Him, journal and spend time in prayer must at least hold equal value to the times when I’ve spent hours in expository study of a biblical doctrine.


Shepherds, what is the simple thing that you could do today that would make a difference, either in your walk with God, or relationship with another?