This morning when I woke up and looked at my alarm clock I remembered something that happened about twenty three years ago today. An associate pastor in Niles, Michigan at the time, I was out calling and dropped by the house of one of the members of my church. I was busy and had projects on my mind and the pressures of a young family, but it was her birthday, and besides, she was my grandmother Shipley.
Her face lit up when I stopped in and we talked for a while. I did not bring her a gift or a card. I just stopped by for a few minutes. I said, “I hope you have a good birthday, Grandma.” A tear formed in her eye and she said, “O I have, Kenny. It’s been such a wonderful day. First Jim called and now you stopped by, I couldn’t be happier. You’ve made my day very special.”
I prayed a blessing on her and was on my busy way.
That was a long time ago but the memory came back this morning fresh as the aroma of coffee that always greeted me when I stepped into the my Grandma’s kitchen from the breezeway of the little green house on Auten Road in South Bend.
We’re all busy, or feel that way, but there are people everywhere who would consider it a good day if we just took a little time for them. Who do you know that could use a little blessing today? How hard would it be to make a call or a visit, or send a card or an e-mail, or pick up a simple gift? It could be more important than you know.
Ken Pierpont
Indianapolis Training Center
Indianapolis, Indiana
November 9, 2007
P.S. Today is Sam Allen’s birthday, too. Sam is a valued friend who has been a great blessing to me and many others.
