The Word for Today

by Bob and Debby Gass

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‘…always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all’ 1 Thessalonians 5:15 NKJV

VJ Smith writes: ‘I don’t remember the exact date I met Marty. Like a lot of people…the line I was in wasn’t moving as quickly as I wanted and I glanced towards the cashier…an affable-looking man in his seventies. …For the next few minutes I watched him. He greeted every customer with the usual, "How’s it going?" Then he did something different-he actually listened. …he would respond to what they had said and engage them in brief conversation. I had grown accustomed to people asking me how I was doing simply out of robotic conversational habit…I could [reply], "I just found out I have six months to live," and someone would reply, "Have a great day!" Then…the old cashier walked round to the customers, extended his hand, looked them in the eye and said, "I want to thank you for shopping here today. Have a great day." The looks on their faces were priceless. There were smiles and sheepish grins. All had been touched by this simple gesture… Some walked away, paused…and looked back…they couldn’t quite comprehend what had just happened…I wanted to take him home and feed him cookies!…I’d been in that store a hundred times and never walked away feeling like that.’ A marriage counsellor asked a couple to list each other’s good qualities. The husband listed twelve. His wife couldn’t think of any! The Bible says, ‘Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.’ That’s hard to do when you’re looking for perfection and focusing on the other person’s shortcomings. The Bible says, ‘Love…keeps no record of wrongs.’ (1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NIV) In other words, look for the best in them!

SoulFood: Jonah 2, Luke 11:29-36

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright 2012

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