MaryHuntWebb.com

For 16 years, my mother worked as the receptionist, secretary, and bookkeeper in a construction materials supply firm where her desk sat close to that of her alcoholic boss. Although her employer attended church on Sundays, he filled the air of that small office with profanity, tobacco smoke, and alcohol fumes. Throughout the day, Mother prayed while she typed, did the bookkeeping, answered the telephone, and interacted with customers and fellow employees. When customers used profanity with her or complained to her, she maintained her composure.

When one customer cursed at her on the telephone, she refused to get upset. Instead, she stunned him when she replied, “I love you, too, dear!” She surprised him so much that he hung up and then called back to talk to her boss.

The customer told her boss, “That woman in your office is crazy!”

Her boss calmly replied, “You’re just now discovering that?”

Although Mother thought she worked there to support herself and her family, I now understand that she had a larger mission. Without her, there would have been no Christian influence or prayer in that business or anywhere else that she went and interacted with people. I try to follow her example. All it takes is the presence of one believer with strong convictions to change the atmosphere of any office, home, school, event or other situation.

That is what happened everywhere that Jesus went. He stopped funerals (Luke 7:11-16), disrupted religious gatherings (Luke 19:23-26), and transformed occupational pursuits (Luke 5:4-11), to name a few. Through our belief in Jesus, we have that ability as well. It is not our talents or our charming personalities that transform a place or an event; it’s the presence of Jesus in us. We carry the love of God to others wherever we go. That takes the pressure off us so that we can relax because He is working through us. Isn’t that reassuring?

Thought for the Day: I carry the love of God to others wherever I go.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for working through me to touch the lives of others. In the name of Jesus, amen.

RELEVANT BIBLE PASSAGES

Luke 5:10b “Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” (New Revised Standard Version)

Luke 5:4-11 - 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” 11 When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.  (New Revised Standard Version)