Are You Contagious?

Matthew 13:31-34 (NIV) He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches." He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough." Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. Last night as I made cinnamon rolls for a special group of friends, I was reminded of these two parables as I mixed the yeast with the flour. I don't know how many times I have made yeast breads and rolls during the last 30 years, but every time I use yeast, I remember this parable. Isn't it amazing that something as small as a mustard seed can grow to be such a large tree and even provide shade and shelter for the birds and other animals? Isn't it amazing also that merely one tablespoon of yeast can have such an impact on several cups of flour and other ingredients? I remembered my Grandma Pauline last night as I stirred the rolls. Grandma always had a contagious smile on her face, and she mastered the principle of sharing God's joy with others. Grandma frequently said that she had God's sunshine in her heart and she wanted to share it with others. Much like the yeast, a little bit of her joy went a long way in ministering to others. Dear Friend, how about you? Are you like the yeast and the mustard seed? Sometimes we aren't aware of the blessing that we are to others, but being filled with God's love and sharing it with others produces great results. Ask God right now to help you show His love to others in a small way today, and He will multiply the effect as He has promised in these two parables. Blessings to You, Dave Henry