Thoughtful Thursdays: Going the Extra Mile

If you regularly read my Thoughtful Thursdays posts, then you know I have been working my way through John C Maxwell’s book, Running with the Giants. 

So far, I have done the chapters about Noah, Moses, Esther, Joseph, Abraham, and Nehemiah. This week, I was reading about Rebekah, and it was the perfect chapter to read after our Vacation Bible School. It was our first VBS at our church since we have arrived one year ago, and it was the first VBS our church has done in 3-4 years. It was a wonderful time. We made good contacts; the kids had fun; but I loved it because of the way the church family pulled together to put on the VBS.

Everybody I asked to help went above and beyond what I asked if they could do. They did it with a willing attitude and a cheerful spirit. It turned out to be such a fun week as we all worked together. 

I thought it was amazing that on Saturday morning as I slept in to 8:20, and then I got up to do my devotions, that I turned to the chapter on Rebekah, and the title was, “Give Generously To Others.” John C. Maxwell in the chapter talks about what he call “The Rebekah Principle.” He shares how Rebekah “Rebekah went the extra mile. Her generosity stands in stark contrast to the prevailing attitudes today. Rebekah seemed to be saying, I’ll do what you asked me to do, then I’m going to do something more.” He shared the story of Rebekah offering to give Eliezer, Abraham’s servant, a drink of water, and then she offered to bring water for all of his camels. This is exactly what Eliezer had prayed for. She went the extra mile — and that is what I saw over and over this past week in our VBS; and that is what I want others to see in my own life.

John C. Maxwell is so good at coming up with relevant and catchy sayings. Here are a couple lessons he says we can learn from the example of Rebekah:

• You can’t walk the second mile until you’ve walked the first.

Basically talk is cheap. We can talk all we want about how we are givers and what we will do, but nothing will get done until we start doing something now. Rebekah first gave the drink to Eliezer; after she finished giving him a drink, then she gave water to his camels.

• Extra blessings result from extra effort.

Rebekah’s life was changed because she offered to give Eliezer and the camels water. She became the wife of Isaac and later the Savior of the world came from their seed.

• When we give generously, we receive more than we would ever think possible.

Give, and it shall be given to you: good measure and pressed down and shaken together and running over shall they give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you shall mete withal, it shall be measured to you again. Luke 6:38

Not only was Rebekah showered with gifts, but she became the great-great-great-great-great-great. . .grandma of the Messiah.

• When we give generously, our loved ones will be blessed.

The family members of Rebekah also received expensive gifts from Eliezer. It is so important for our children to see how we give and how God blesses us in return. You can never out give God.

There is always an overflow from generosity that blesses those close to the giver. John C. Maxwell.

There were so many great posts last week! Here are just a few of them:

• Sleepovers: Rethinking This Potentially Unsafe Childhood Pastime from Holy & Healthy
• War Room: 7 Powerful Parenting Prayers For Every Mom from Purposeful & Meaningful
• When You Feel All Alone in Your Grief by Sarah E Koontz
• Get Your Hands Dirty Doing Good Works by Like the Morning Sun
• The Realities of Frugal Living from Frugal Family Adventures
• The One Book Every Teenager Should Read from Women Abiding
• 5 Best Life Skills Books for Teens from Jessica Lambert
• How to Spend Your Time Wisely from Sweeter Still

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