And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” Matthew 10:42 NIV
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The Lilac Parade is the third Sunday in May in Lombard, Illinois. When I worked at the library, it was my job to plan, decorate and ride on the library’s float, recruiting other staff to join me.
Floats were required to arrive and be ready more than an hour before the parade was to start, then wait. If the library was in the last group of floats, it could be hours before there was access to a bathroom. So, one year I decided not to drink any water before or during the parade.
It was an unusually warm day, and by the time the parade ended, and we were walking the 3 blocks to where our cars were parked, I was lightheaded. I went down on a lawn and lay there, eyes closed, trying to gather myself.
“Would you like some water?” came a voice above my head.
“Do you have any?” was my reply.
There was a pause as one companion went to bring my car to me, the other moved to shield my face from the sun.
Then someone handed me a glass of cold water. It was the homeowner.
Hydrated and feeling much better, I went home. And I’ve never been that foolish again.
So far …
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Acts of kindness are never random to the one receiving them. I remember everything about this incident, but I would be surprised if either companions or homeowner remember it at all.
But God remembers.
In Matthew 25:31-46), the King is asked, “‘Lord, when did we see you … thirsty and give you something to drink?'”
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
In God’s economy, kindness is never wasted. In God’s eyes, there is no such thing as a small act of kindness. And He is right there with us, encouraging us.
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,
who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope,
comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NLT