When I was four weeks old, my parents moved to south Florida. They didn’t move because they’d always wanted to live in sunny south Florida. They moved because I was born with a lung condition that is now called Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Waaaaayyyyyy back then, it was generally considered untreatable, and many babies died because of it. In fact, when my mother gave birth to me, the doctor told them that I likely would not live. But two weeks later, they were able to take me home. That doctor, as well as a pediatrician, advised my parents to move to a tropical climate.So, my parents and their four-week-old daughter loaded up and moved to south Florida. No jobs. No house. But my mom’s sister and her husband lived there. So they--we--moved in with them and their three children.
My dad, who was 21 years old at the time, found a job sweeping the floors at night in a tool and die factory. He worked very hard, and while he was there he learned how to run a die press. Older men who worked there began teaching him that trade. It wasn’t long until they passed the word along to the floor boss about this young man who showed aptitude and had a good work ethic. The floor boss decided to give this young man a chance. Eventually, they found someone else to sweep the floors. As years passed, this hard-working man was given more responsibility and he took opportunities to obtain schooling and skill. He was diligent, responsible, and honest. By the time he was 36 (just 15 years!), he was the vice-president of this manufacturing company which had grown and prospered.
Matthew 25:21 and 23 say, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things...”
I believe that if we are faithful with a few things (like the gift we’ve been given to bless others with), we will be given more opportunities to use our own resources to help others.
- Sheree Yasko Hill
