Matthew 5:1 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
We met Peaches last year at a hotel we were staying at. She was a hotel employee that you would not forget. Our family returned to the same hotel this year and we were reunited with Peaches the breakfast server at the hotel. Her work ethics, respect and honor for others are what caused her to stand out from all the other hotel workers. Yet, what stood out above all the “Yes mam” and “Sorry sir”, was her faith and love for Jesus.
Each morning during our stay we looked forward to seeing Peaches at breakfast. Then on the third day our daughter gave Peaches a “flower” creation she made with balloons along with a card that said “Jesus loves you” on the front and with Colossians 3:23. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; on the back. Our family then left for the day to minister at a conference.
The next morning Peaches shared with me that after receiving the balloon flower she cried and cried. And that the Bible verse on the back of the Jesus loves you card was the exact verse in her morning devotions. She went home that day and told her daughter what had happened and her daughter said “Mama, those people really care about you.” That balloon flower opened up Peaches heart to share some of her trials in life. She began to tell us how at age 8 she suffered a stroke which affected the right side of her body and how she had to have brain surgery to remove a tumor. The scars and paralysis are still visible today. Then she went on to say how she has been teased, mocked and persecuted all her life because she appears different physically. Peaches admitted that after receiving Christ she no longer gets angry at those people. Instead she learned to bless and pray for her enemies and ones who spitefully use her.
Her trials didn’t stop there. She went on to share that her daughter Shay, at age 16, had a brain tumor removed. This left her mentally challenged and makes it extremely difficult to hold a job. She had tried to hold a job on several occasions but, the mental stress was too much for her. Because they thought she should be able to work, the state stopped helping to pay for the medication Shay needs to take. Now, in order to get the medicine, Peaches drives 2 hours away to another town. This costs her fifty dollars, twice a month, just for the fuel to make the drive. At one point Peaches took on another job at McDonalds but, working two jobs had negative effects on her body and she physically couldn’t handle it. She ended up in the hospital with high blood pressure and exhaustion. She gave up her second job in order to live, trusting in God each day to provide for her and her daughter.
Through all of this Peaches has not given up on God. She carries her Bible with her wherever she goes, attends church and takes time out of her day even at work to praise and thank God even for a small thing like a balloon flower that soon will pop or deflate in the next few days.
Joy abounded in Peaches that day. We were able to speak encouraging words to her, remind her that God loves her, that He hears her prayers and cries and He says in His Word, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
I encourage you, as you go about your day, take a moment and make a difference in someone else’s life. People don’t care what you know until they know that you care. Give a smile, thank your waiter, give a bigger tip just because, pay for the persons groceries behind you in line, thank the cashier, or the hotel employee. Be the hands and feet of Jesus. Be obedient to what the Holy Spirit is saying to you, look and listen for opportunities to meet someone else’s need.
