On Sunday, a new girl came to our church. Her name is Laura (another Laura!). She's from South Africa and working as an au pair (nanny). She somehow is connected to a member of our congregation and came to visit. I was chatting with her for a bit and just really connected. Do you have those moments when you meet someone and you just think, "This is someone I want to get to know" ?
We had a church luncheon after the service, so I invited Laura to stay and we had a quick lunch together. She needed to get back to the station to get to central London to meet some other people and wasn't sure of the way. I offered to walk with her to show her the way. As we walked, it started to get cloudy and rain seemed to be on it's way. The walk to the station went right by my house, so I popped in and grabbed an umbrella. Once we got to the point where Laura would carry on her way, I gave her the umbrella. She said she didn't think it would rain, but I reminded her that she would be out all day. I also told her I have several, because I am frequently caught without a brolly and then I end up buying these little cheap ones for a few ££s. In the end, Laura took it and gave me a big hug.
I had added her on Facebook to keep in touch. She's only been in the UK a few months and it's her first time to live outside of South Africa. Several of us young women at church wanted to make sure to connect with her. We all know the loneliness of getting to know a new area without anyone familiar around you.
Laura sent me a message last night once she arrived home. Here's what she said:
"So about the umbrella you so generously gave to me today. The strangest thing, an umbrella is something that I have really needed to get but just haven't got around to buying. And although it's rather a small thing, it is something on my list of "things to buy" for the move in September. The whole idea of rent, groceries, taxes and finances has all been a bit of a stress to me because it is the first time I will really and truly be a grown up and have to do it all on my own!!!! When you gave the umbrella to me today, I felt like God was saying in His loving, calming, humorous way; "See, I promise to provide for you, even in the little things. So STOP worrying about it!" Hee! Don't you just love it?! I have been so blessed and every step of this whole trip God just keeps sending me little reminders that He's got my back.So thank you for being a part of that. Was really quite special!!!"
Isn't that wonderful? I was just really touched by how God uses such small things to remind us of His provision. This was such a good lesson for me to remember that we never know how God uses the little gestures. Also, this was a good trigger for me to remember even the ways that God has done similar things for me! I hope you are encouraged today, as I was, in the knowledge that God uses the little things to bless others in ways we aren't even aware. We might not always hear of the ways we affect us, but that doesn't mean God isn't using you to bless someone else.
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you--Luke 6:38. I've always thought of this as originating with me. I've thought of my giving as the action. However, this morning, I've been thinking of it terms of being a means of fulfilling this for others. In this case, someone else giving is the action, and my giving is the reaction. Perhaps, through my giving, God is using me to fulfill his promise to someone else, to reward them and encourage them. Isn't it awesome that God allows us to both be blessed and bless someone else through the same deed?
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