Value the help you get

Colossians 4 vs 1

“Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.”

We live in a country where we are especially fortunate to have house help; people who assist with cleaning, baby-sitting and generally being there to help make our day-to-day lives easier.

These unsung heroes of our lives help in some way to make our circumstances better. Just the other day I needed to sort out a water problem at my house, I felt so helpless without the guy who assists me at my house. The minute he came on to the scene, all was well and the water system was up and running.

Without him I was out of sorts and groping in the dark. I suppose so many of us are in that boat, where our lives have been enhanced by the people God has placed in our lives. They are always there in the background quietly, but ultimately looking after us.

The bible tells the story of the great Syrian general who was afflicted with leprosy. In his household there was a servant girl from Israel. Having noticed her master’s problem, she told him about a prophet in her homeland who could heal him through the power of God above. The general took the girl’s advice and travelled to Israel. On the instruction of the prophet, he dipped himself seven times in the Jordan River and his skin was cured, he became whole.

We all have different stories to tell about the people who help us at our homes but think about it: the lady who is helping you to bring up your kids or baby sits them plays an amazing role, quietly doing her thing and helping you reduce the stress associated with parenting. We all have stories to tell, it could be the lady or gentleman who cleans your house or maintains your yard, they all play a special part.

We sometimes read that we have angels in our midst who are always looking after us and shepherding us. Has it ever crossed your mind that these seemingly insignificant but special souls could be more than meets the eye?

As we relate with those lesser than ourselves, let us remember to treat them with compassion, kindness and consideration. In your midst could be a Daniel in the making or better still, an Esther who could one day become someone greater than the person you see today.

It’s so easy to write people off and place them in boxes based on our human understanding of issues, but God has the final determination of how anyone’s life will pan out. We have all read about “zero to hero” stories.

Let’s treat them properly not because we fear what tomorrow could hold but because it’s the right thing to do. Let’s take time to be grateful and to appreciate the special role that they play.

We are all destined for the priesthood, where we are all tasked with sharing and receiving the gospel. Let’s start our ministry in our homes with the lesser mortals in our midst, you may even be surprised that as you begin to relate you may learn a thing or two and that, through their daily prayers for your protection and delivery, heaven continues to look down on you favourably.

Human nature sometimes makes us look down on people we deem less than us, we treat them badly or out rightly ignore them. You must however remember that Jesus Christ was born in a manger and was brought up to be a tradesman but in this humble role, he changed the world.

God does not look at the office a person holds, but rather their heart. God looks at the heart and therefore the heart of those in your midst may be the difference between God hearing your prayers or not. Treat them properly, value them, be fair and place them on the pedestal they deserve.

Without them you would be lost, thank the Lord for them but more importantly, thank them for the role they play in your life.

Be Blessed REFLECTIONS OF A WORK IN PROGRESS . . . For more info: Visit our website: www.thefig-tree. org; e-mail us on info@thefig-tree.org; catch us on StarFM, Monday to Friday at 0620hours.