Life wasn’t easy for Judy. She was a single mother dealing with both financial and health struggles. She even had a short season of homelessness before coming to our church. But that didn’t stop her from faithfully attending church every Sunday to sing in the choir. Judy loved helping to create beautiful, anointed praise and worship music unto the Lord. Yet, her generosity and service extended far beyond just singing.
Her selfless mission
The choir sang at two Sunday services each week. We had to be at church before 8:00 am and didn’t leave until after 1:00 pm each week. Most of us had to rush to get ourselves and our children ready and out the door each morning, often leaving home without eating breakfast.
Despite having limited resources, Judy saw a need and developed an idea to fill it. Every week, she visited a local bakery to pick up day-old donuts and pastries they intended to throw away.
She carried the boxes to her car, lugged them upstairs to the choir room, and set up the tables. She would then arrange the treats for everyone to enjoy during the break between services.
Furthermore, with over 200 members in our choir, this was not a small task.
Her generosity – Our delight
Sure, they weren’t the freshest pastries, but even so, we eagerly ate them, fueling our bodies to sing through the next service.
After church, Judy would clean everything up and tear down the tables, carrying the leftovers back out to her car with little help from her fellow choir members.
She would tirelessly repeat the same daunting task the next week. It was obvious that this act of service brought her incredible joy.
A Christmas surprise
Judy’s generosity went beyond just bringing treats each week. Every Christmas, the choir had a tradition of exchanging gifts among members. One year, I found out Judy had drawn my name. Honestly, I didn’t expect an expensive gift. I knew Judy had very little money, being a single mother raising her daughter on her own.
Nevertheless, in the face of unbelievable life challenges, Judy found a way to abundantly bless her fellow choir member.
Imagine my surprise when I opened my gift and found the most beautiful, exquisite porcelain angel! I loved it! To this day, I cherish it as it proudly sits beautifully atop the dresser in my guest bedroom.
Whenever I dust the angel, I think of Judy and what an angel she was to all of us during that time.
It also serves as a reminder to use whatever gifts, talents, and resources I have been given to serve the Lord and others.
We don’t have to be the brightest or the best to serve God. We just need to do our best. No idea, gift, or talent is too humble for him to use if we have a willing heart.
Gratitude Leads to Generosity
What motivated Judy’s selfless acts of kindness was her feeling of gratitude. Like many of us who sang in the choir, God had lifted her from a place of darkness to a place where she could share the light of His love through worship and song. As a natural consequence of that gratitude, she showed her appreciation by serving the choir.
Years later, when I inquired about Judy to see if she was still singing, the choir coordinator replied, “Our dear Ms. Judy is still at church and as feisty as ever.” While she no longer regularly brings in desserts, she still shows up to sing and praise God when she is able.
What about you?
Who comes to your mind as you read this story? We all know people who tirelessly give and serve others throughout their lives, expecting nothing in return. They are an inspiration to us all.
Why not bless them with a special “Thank you” this Christmas?
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
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