The Convicting Compliment

Every month we received our company-issued credit card statements.  And every month, we have to match up the receipts with the statement and sign-off on the statement stating everything appears correct and we did infact make these particular charges.

Every single month, these statements come in and they remain unopened until the addressee opens it.  Every month I take my boss's envelope and toss it half-heartedly into his Inbox. 

Today, however, I paused and paper-clipped one of the accounting envelopes to the back of his statement envelope and placed it carefully in his Inbox.  I knew that it takes time to find these envelopes and maybe it would be helpful if I did this for him.  It seemed like such a small thing.

Fast-forward several hours later...(by "several" I mean about 5 hours later)...

As I was exiting his office, he stops me and says, "Thanks for the credit card envelope.  That was really thoughtful and kind, Angie." 

I walked back to my cubicle with a heavy heart.  I pondered the past 3.5 years and realized that this might've been the first kind and thoughtful thing that I have done for this individual.  It's not that I am angry with this person...but I've not been kind and thoughtful with a purpose of showing him Christ's love.  Do I just love those co-workers who love me?  Or am I showing the love of Christ to all of them?  ...even the ones who are different?  Am I only kind to those who are kind in return?  John 3:16 came to mind...For God so loved the world that He gave...  Do I love, give and serve others? 

Tonight's Bible study lesson was on having a servant's heart.  Lauren stressed that we really wrap our brains and hearts around her first point...we must put our relationship with Christ first....and only then will the Lord reveal to us what our talents are so that we might glorify Him through our service to other believers and others.  And lastly, the only way we can have a true servant's heart is when we remember all that Christ has done for us.

I'm so thankful the Lord chose this compliment to convict my heart and make me more aware of my need to love & serve others.