Friday, May 7, 2010

May 7, 2010

"May it be that when I say to a girl, 'Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels too'-let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master." Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor. The girl was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever lain with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again. The servant hurried to meet her and said, "Please give me a little water from your jar." "Drink, my lord," she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink. After she had given him a drink, she said, "I'll draw water for your camels too, until they have finished drinking."So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels." Genesis 24:14-20
The son of promise had finally been given to Abraham and Sarah. He was worth the wait! He brought them such great joy! Since they were already up in age when he was born they found it urgent to find a suitable wife for him before they died. So, Abraham dispatched one of his most trusted servants with instructions to return to his home region to search for the young woman.
Knowing how important this assignment was and not wanting to disappoint his master, this servant prayed as he travelled. When he came upon the well outside the village and he spied a beautiful young lady he agreed on a sign from the Lord. He would ask for water and if the young woman agreed to give him a drink and then offer water to his camels as well, that would be a sign.
So, it is worth noting what set Rebekah apart. It was her "and then some" attitude. Her willingness to make the extra effort paid big dividends. It always does!
Jesus taught about the importance of the second mile but this is centuries before that. She had a desire for excellence. She possessed a servant's heart. That is a winning attitude.
God graced womanhood with a desire to serve. And woman have blessed their families with their hard work and labors of love. They have endeared themselves not only by their beauty and their charms, but by their helpful service.
However, the attitude that Rebekah displayed is a model for everyone regardless of gender. The "and then some" attitude will commend you wherever you are and whatever you desire to do, Not only will it help you stand out from the crowd, but more importantly it will honor God!
Heading into this Mother's Day week-end it is a great time to stop and examine your attitude. Do you possess this servant's heart? Are you willing to make that extra effort to lighten someone's load? Will be mindful of the "and then some" you can do. What is the additional thing you can do at work? What is the one more thing you can do for your neighbor? What is the extra act of kindness you can do for your church? What second-mile deed can you do for an adversary? And, most importantly for this week-end, what extra effort can you make to honor your mother this week-end?
God calls you to serve! And then some!