Bless others

“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” – 1 Peter 3:9.

 

By Peter Kennedy

Mary Ann Bird was a freelance writer who wrote a column for the Foxboro (Massachusetts) Reporter. She wrote the following article on blessing others:

“I grew up knowing I was different. I hated it. I was born with a cleft palate. When I started school, my classmates made it clear how I looked to others. Little girl, misshapen lip, crooked nose, lopsided teeth, garbled speech. When schoolmates asked, ‘What happened to your lip?’ I’d tell them I’d fallen and cut it on a piece of glass. Somehow it seemed more acceptable to have suffered an accident than been born different. I was convinced nobody outside my family could love me.

Then there was a teacher in the second grade we adored, Mrs. Leonard. Annually we had a hearing test. Mrs. Leonard gave the test to everybody in the class. Finally, it was my turn. I knew from past years as we stood against the door and covered one ear, the teacher sitting at her desk would whisper, and we’d have to repeat it back, something like, ‘The sky is blue’ or ‘Do you have new shoes?’ I waited there for the words. God must have put in her mouth those seven words that changed my life. Mrs. Leonard said in a whisper, ‘I wish you were my little girl.’”

The Lord blesses us for a purpose and asks us to bless others for His glory. Today in prayer, ask Jesus how you can bless others so they may experience His loving grace.

“Love when you expect no love in return. Do good without expecting thanks. Lend when you do not hope for a return. This will make us act like the sons and daughters of the Most High.” – Henrietta Mears

God’s Word: “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us” – Psalm 67:1