1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 — And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.
Lately, I’ve had several young people knocking on my door.
And no, they’re not trick-or-treaters.
They’re looking for work.
I know that might sound a little unusual these days, but I’ve actually been pretty impressed.
One young man offered to clean up my yard.
Another wanted to mow.
And one even asked if he could clean my trash cans!
Now, I’ve got to tell you, that one caught me off guard.
But I admired their willingness to work.
These weren’t kids just standing there asking me to hand them money.
They were offering to do something to earn it.
And while I wish I could have hired every one of them, I couldn’t.
But there was one young man who stood out.
I don’t know exactly what it was.
There was just something about him.
Something sincere.
And as I listened to him, I couldn’t help wondering what might be going on in his life.
Why was he knocking on doors?
What was he trying to earn money for?
Was there something he needed that I couldn’t see?
I didn’t know his whole story.
But I knew I wanted to help.
So I found a simple little job for him to do.
Nothing complicated.
Just something he could finish and feel good about.
And when he was done, I reached into my wallet.
I had ten dollars.
That was it.
Not twenty.
Not fifty.
Just ten dollars.
So that’s what I gave him.
And friend, you should have seen his face.
He smiled.
And I watched him stand just a little taller.
Now, I don’t know what that ten dollars meant to him.
Maybe it helped him buy something he needed.
Maybe it was money he was saving.
Or maybe it was simply the satisfaction of knowing he’d worked hard and earned something.
But I could tell that moment mattered.
And you know what?
It mattered to me, too.
Because sometimes what we give someone is worth more than what’s in our hand.
Sometimes it’s encouragement.
Sometimes it’s dignity.
Sometimes it’s the reminder that somebody sees them and believes they’re worth a little time and attention.
And I’ve been thinking about that young man ever since.
Especially when I read Paul’s prayer in 1 Thessalonians.
“May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow.”
I love that word.
Overflow.
Not just enough love for the people who are easy to love.
Not just enough kindness for our friends and family.
But so much love that it spills over into the lives of people we don’t even know.
People who show up unexpectedly.
People whose stories we haven’t heard.
People who may need something we have to give.
And notice something else about that verse.
Paul is asking the Lord to make our love grow.
Because the kind of love God calls us to isn’t something we have to manufacture all by ourselves.
It’s something He grows in us as we follow Him.
And sometimes, He grows it through the smallest moments.
Like a knock at the door.
A conversation with a stranger.
Or a ten-dollar bill.
You know, I think it’s easy to overlook those opportunities because they don’t seem very big.
We imagine generosity means having a lot of money.
Or making some enormous sacrifice.
Or doing something that changes somebody’s entire life.
But what if love starts somewhere much simpler?
What if it starts with noticing?
Noticing the person who’s struggling.
Noticing someone who’s trying.
Noticing that there might be more to somebody’s story than what we see on the surface.
And then being willing to do something about it.
Now, we can’t help everybody in every situation.
And we need wisdom about how and when we help.
But we can ask God to keep our hearts open.
To help us see people the way He sees them.
And to make us willing to share what we can.
Because here’s what I’ve discovered.
When we choose to show compassion, it doesn’t just affect the person receiving it.
It changes something in us, too.
Our hearts become a little softer.
Our eyes become a little more open.
And our love has a chance to grow.
That’s what I want.
I want to be someone whose love doesn’t stop with the people I already know.
I want it to reach the person at my door.
The stranger at the store.
The neighbor down the street.
Whoever God places in my path.
So today, maybe you won’t have a young person knocking on your door asking to clean your trash cans.
But I have a feeling somebody will cross your path who could use a little kindness.
And maybe God will give you an opportunity to help.
It might not cost much.
It might not take long.
And you may never know what happens afterward.
But don’t underestimate what God can do with a willing heart.
After all, sometimes love begins to overflow when we stop long enough to notice who’s standing right in front of us.
And maybe that’s where it starts.
With an open heart.
Open eyes.
And a willingness to open the door.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
- Have you ever had an unexpected encounter with someone that made you more aware of the needs around you?
- Why do you think being treated with dignity and respect can sometimes mean as much as receiving financial help?
- Paul prays that our love will grow and overflow toward all people. Are there people outside your usual circle whom God may be encouraging you to notice?
- How have small acts of generosity or compassion changed your own heart?
- What is one practical way you can show someone today that they matter?
QUESTION TO CARRY WITH YOU TODAY
Who might God be placing right in front of me today, and am I willing to stop long enough to notice?
