As a brand new mom I learned a valuable, but painful lesson that what I ate went straight through my body to my baby daughter’s system as she got painfully ill after I ate some very spicy food and then breast fed her. I realize that may be graphic, but it makes the point that we are in a position to pour into the lives of others by our words, our actions and our attitudes. What I pour in immediately becomes a part of that life.
II Chronicle 22:3 actually provides a compelling challenge for me as a wife and mom. “Ahaziah also followed the evil example of King Ahab’s family, for his mother encouraged him in doing wrong. He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, just as Ahab did.” WOW! His mother poured into his life a legacy of evil.
Yet, we can look at Ruth and Naomi, Ruth chapters 1-2, and see that Naomi must have poured positive teachings and deeds into the life of Ruth. She was a foreigner, likely worshipping foreign gods and idols, yet because of Naomi’s influence and friendship when Ruth became a widow, she chose to stay with Naomi and even leave her homeland rather than stay in Moab with her family.
The best way to know what to pour into the heart of another is to draw close to the One who pours grace and mercy on each of us daily. He will provide the words, the encouragement, the attitude necessary when we seek Him fully and ask to be an effective instrument as He works to touch the life of another with His love.
Oh, Lord, help me today. Give me the grace to add value to the heart of another just as you consistently extend your grace to me. Show me how to encourage, lift up and pour out my faith with your mercy and grace to meet the need of a heart that needs your love.
(Additional study: Psalms 119:93, Prov 4:13, II Tim 1:14)