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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"Angels Along The Way"
April 1, 2009
"Are you Hank's daughter?" That was the question that launched an
unbelievable story of grace and influence. My friend, Maria, said that as this
stranger began to share his memories of her father, she was touched and
felt as if she had been visited by an angel. The man went on to tell her how
Hank had influenced his life and became a mentor to him.
The truth is that most of us never know the impact that our actions will
have on others. We simply walk through life without thinking too much. We
run from one thing to the next. Even if we attempt to be intentional in our
actions, the storms of life often come and push us off course. So we ride
through life as if what we do doesn't really matter to anyone but ourselves.
It is easier that way.
Yet Hank's story reminds us that the way we live life does matter. Even if
we never know the impact that we have made on a single person, the fact
that we lived with compassion and concern for others, will make a
difference to someone.
I like the story told about the water bearer in India. He had two large pots
connected by a pole that he carried on his neck. One pot was beautiful. The
other had a small crack in it. The story goes on to say that the pot with the
crack was ashamed that he wasn't like the other one. He never came home
with a full load of water. But then the water bearer pointed out that on his
side of the road there was a beautiful flower bed that was blessed by the
water that leaked through his cracks.
The truth is that we can make a difference if we allow God to use us.
That's the key. If we live life with his love in our hearts and are willing to
share it with others, then we will bring sunshine and hope to those we meet
along the side of the road.
How we live our lives and how we treat others does matter. That's why
Jesus encouraged us to love our neighbors. That is God's plan for
transforming the world from darkness into light. He sends us out as his
angels to brighten the path for those who we meet along the way. He can
do it whether we are aware of it or not. He just needs a willing heart.
Hank was angel. He lived his life and he shared his love. He nurtured many
of us along the way. Then he left it to that young man and the rest of us to
pick up baton to become unexpected angels for a new generation. May we
share that love, a father's love, with those that we meet along the way.
God bless! See you in church. Cal.
April 1, 2009
"Are you Hank's daughter?" That was the question that launched an
unbelievable story of grace and influence. My friend, Maria, said that as this
stranger began to share his memories of her father, she was touched and
felt as if she had been visited by an angel. The man went on to tell her how
Hank had influenced his life and became a mentor to him.
The truth is that most of us never know the impact that our actions will
have on others. We simply walk through life without thinking too much. We
run from one thing to the next. Even if we attempt to be intentional in our
actions, the storms of life often come and push us off course. So we ride
through life as if what we do doesn't really matter to anyone but ourselves.
It is easier that way.
Yet Hank's story reminds us that the way we live life does matter. Even if
we never know the impact that we have made on a single person, the fact
that we lived with compassion and concern for others, will make a
difference to someone.
I like the story told about the water bearer in India. He had two large pots
connected by a pole that he carried on his neck. One pot was beautiful. The
other had a small crack in it. The story goes on to say that the pot with the
crack was ashamed that he wasn't like the other one. He never came home
with a full load of water. But then the water bearer pointed out that on his
side of the road there was a beautiful flower bed that was blessed by the
water that leaked through his cracks.
The truth is that we can make a difference if we allow God to use us.
That's the key. If we live life with his love in our hearts and are willing to
share it with others, then we will bring sunshine and hope to those we meet
along the side of the road.
How we live our lives and how we treat others does matter. That's why
Jesus encouraged us to love our neighbors. That is God's plan for
transforming the world from darkness into light. He sends us out as his
angels to brighten the path for those who we meet along the way. He can
do it whether we are aware of it or not. He just needs a willing heart.
Hank was angel. He lived his life and he shared his love. He nurtured many
of us along the way. Then he left it to that young man and the rest of us to
pick up baton to become unexpected angels for a new generation. May we
share that love, a father's love, with those that we meet along the way.
God bless! See you in church. Cal.
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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