FEBRUARY 29, Matthew 5:16

“Mom’s calling,” said Ruth as she and her sister Sarah played with neighbours in the common area of their flat. Sarah looked at her watch. “Wow!” she exclaimed. “It’s dinner time already!” The girls said goodbye to their friends and hurried to their apartment.

“Guess what!” said Mom as they talked about their day. “I got a job offer.”

Dad smiled. “Someone must have asked you to help to take care of their kids,” he said.

Mom laughed. “You’re right. I was out talking with other moms in our church today. Melissa Lee who lives near us asked if I’d like to watch Tanya and Bob when she goes back to work on Mondays and Fridays.”

Ruth looked surprised. “Dad, how did you know that was what someone wanted Mom to do?” she asked.

“Well, it’s not the first time that’s happened,” replied Dad. “The Choos wanted Mom to take care of their son one weekend when they had to be away, remember? And a few weeks ago, the librarian at your school asked Mom to baby sit for a couple of days.”

Sarah looked puzzled. “That’s so weird. It’s not like Mom has a sign saying, ‘I’ll babysit.’ In fact, she doesn’t take care of babies regularly!”

Mom smiled. “No, but they know I’m a stay-at-home mom, so maybe they figure I’d like to earn a little money,” she said. “And I think another reason they like to have me is because of you guys.”

“Us? I don’t get it,” said Ruth. Mom smiled, “I think they look at you and say to themselves, ‘Those are nice kids! I could trust my children to be in that home. I’ll see if their mother would like to work for me.’”

Sarah grinned. “We’re just such angels,” she joked. “So thanks, girls,” added Mom, “for being lights in our neighbourhood.”

Thought: Do your actions cause people to notice that you are different from the world in general? Your attitude should shine as a light, pointing others to Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to shine for You so others can see changes in my life. I recognise that others will observe me. I pray that I had been a good example for the sake of Jesus. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.