Look for Opportunities, Not Excuses

Nell Easterling was 94 years old. She and her husband, Lairy, were founding members of our church. For more than 50 years, they served faithfully, given generously, and modeled the faith life to our congregation.

Mrs. Nell was also a really good cook.

As I sat across from her at a pot luck dinner, I asked for the recipe for the dish she’d brought. As with most good cooks, she could recite it from memory.

But halfway through, somewhere between the cottage cheese and the Mandarin oranges, she stopped. Catching her husband’s eye, she tapped the tablecloth in front of her.

“Honey,” (she always called him ‘Honey’), “let’s take these home and wash them,” she said. He nodded. “We can’t do much anymore, but we can do that.”

I wrote down the rest of the recipe, but came away from the conversation with much more than instructions for a new dish. Without realizing it, Mrs. Nell had shared a life lesson with me.

I told my husband about our conversation on the way home. “If I was 94 years old, could barely walk, and had been serving in the church for three-quarters of a century, I think I’d probably say, ‘I’m old. I’ve done my time. Let someone else do it.’”

“Instead she looks around and says, ‘What can I do to help?’”

Mrs. Nell was living out 1 Samuel 12:24: “But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart.”

Her example challenged me to serve God with the abilities and resources he’s given me. To jump in wherever I see a need instead of waiting to be asked. To look for opportunities, instead of excuses.

Will you join me in pledging to serve God whenever he gives us the chance and the ability? If every church member served this way, imagine what God could do.

Now it’s your turn. Has there been someone in your life who has modeled biblical servanthood? I’d love to hear about them. Leave a comment below and share your story.

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