Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC
Wednesday, December 21
By Beth Cooper-Libby, Preschool Director
A Blip in the Screen
Read: Hebrews 6:10 NIV
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”
It happens at Walmart; it happens at McKay’s; it happens a lot at the grocery store. I hear a voice “Hey, look Tommy, look! It’s Miss Beth! Don’t you remember Miss Beth?” Next I will smile and greet a child that has no clue who I am. Poor Tommy will scan my face, having no idea who I am or why his mom is excited to see me. The parent does of course remember me, but rarely do they understand that the child does not. I don’t take it personally. It’s called “childhood amnesia” and just part of the natural order of life. Most adults do not have memories of their lives for the first 3 to 3 1/2 years, and although many adults may have some, chances are a woman you knew in preschool and have not seen since isn’t one of them.
I know that I am just a blip on the screen; most families forget about me within a year of leaving and nearly all of the children will. I like to think that deep down inside they remember someone being the hands and feet of Christ by acting kind to them in their early years. I consider my job mission work. It’s how I serve others and what I feel called to do. Is it glamorous? Nope, not really. Prestigious? Not exactly that either.
During Jesus’ mortal life, He served the poor. He taught the gospel. He fed crowds of hungry people. He washed His disciples’ feet. He ate with thieves and touched lepers. He healed the sick and even raised the dead. Thankfully, none of that is in my job description, because if you know me at all, you know my feelings about feet.
You can serve the Lord by serving those around you. You do not have to do something big to serve others. For me, it’s helping a child learn to share, tying a shoe, making parting from a parent more comfortable, teaching the prayer we use before we eat — all small ways that I serve. They might not be big, but those are things that I’m good at doing. When we willingly serve, with the talents we are given, we become more like Christ and our faith grows.
Prayer
Blessed Jesus, because of your finished work on the cross, our labors have become labors of love; our works are works of faith. May we love and serve those around us who need our services and offerings of love. Amen.
