It was a Friday morning, my day off- I enjoyed a quiet slow start and had a leisurely breakfast. As I prayed about how to spend my day, a verse I had read came to mind.

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.”-Matthew 7:12a NIV

These words of Jesus caused me to ponder and pray, reflect and act.

Yesterday I heard that Marianne, a neighbor who lived down the block, had the flu. A few days back, Jasmine, a colleague at work shared with me that her Dad was very sick with cancer. ‘ I have him only for a few more days’ she said with tears.

These points went into my prayer journal, to pray about. When a thought  about doing something in action came to mind, I stopped myself ,by telling:

What would they think?

What would others at work say?

Will it be too much?

Will they like my cooking?

But, this time, I went back to my verse for clarity- if I had the flu and someone rang the doorbell with a pot of steaming hot soup, I would love it- so that is exactly what I was going to do. I spent the rest of the day making soup, a large pot of vegetable and chicken soup! I added lots of love and prayed that God would make it a blessing to my dear friend. The smile and joy on Marianne’s face as I dropped it off said it all. I was so happy.

The following morning, I quickly texted Jasmine saying I would bring them a meal. In the evening. I asked about her father’s dietary restrictions and his favorites. I was happy to hear that he enjoyed Indian food. I lost my mother to cancer, and I know how hard it could be during those last days. Jasmine looked very tired and worn out as I delivered the warm meal and the chocolate cupcakes. ‘It’s been so long since I baked for the children’ she said as the children ran squealing with delight.

This verse has changed my life so much- at church, at home and at work.

At church, now I look out for ‘new’ faces and always stop by to welcome them and share a little of my own story. I know I would love it when I was welcomed and asked to stay for coffee so that is exactly what I do!!

My husband loves almond croissants. As I was driving back from work taking a new route, I passed a French cafe. Should I stop and surprise Ranjit with a treat I asked myself. I went straight back to the verse. Do I love surprises? Of course I do, so I stopped to get his sweet delight!

Mailing off handmade cards and gifts, leaving little surprises at a busy teachers desk, adding a ‘well done’ sticker on a tired students workbook, all these were results of dwelling on the verse.

Would I like a sweet surprise, a card in the mail or a “I really appreciate your work” text? If I like it, then I know it could probably brighten another heart as well.

Have you ever picked up the phone to call someone and then stopped yourself wondering if you were intruding on their time? I used to do that a lot. But now I go back to the verse. A few weeks back Diane, a dear friend who had moved out of town called to ask me how we were doing? I was delighted that she thought of me and took the time to connect again. So when I think of a friend or when God puts them in my heart, I send off a text or arrange a time to call and chat.

“Love must be sincere.”- Romans 12:9a NIV

“Be kind and compassionate to one another.”- Ephesians 4:32 NIV

“Encourage one another daily.”- Hebrews 3:3 NIV

As we step out to do something we can pray these verses. May we step out to spread love, be kind and to encourage.

I would like to leave you with a line from Joanna Weaver: “So how can we share a loving Father with an orphan world, today?”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shoba Ranjitsingh is an architect, writer, a proud mother and an excited new grandmother who works in a Primary school in New Zealand. Shoba enjoys studying God’s word and her role as a STL at Bible Study Fellowship in NZ for 6 years has enabled her to now write and lead Women’s Bible Studies. Helping women study and enjoy God’s word as they embrace each season of life is her prayer as a writer. Long walks, cakes, hymns, coffee, books and quiet family evenings describe Shoba. Ranjit and Shoba live in Auckland.