A Small "Tip" with Big Reward

When I was a young 1st grade teacher fresh out of college, my dad gave me a piece of advice that has long stuck with me and proven very helpful. ‘Your students need to know you really care about them, Elaine. One way you can powerfully communicate this concern is with your touch.” He then explained the little ways that small contact with a person can make them feel important and loved. A brush on the shoulder, a pat on the back, a smoothing of hair or a brush on the cheek….all these are easily done (and appropriate for) a young child, and so they became part of my conscious effort to bombard my students with obvious interest and care.
These habits have endured. Even today as I teach I will often place a quick hand on a boy’s knee, place my cupped hand under a distracted child’s chin or take small hands in mine to focus their attention on my face as I engage them in whatever is taking place. This specific technique has proven powerfully strategic for me.
The small ‘tip’ that I‘d like to share, however, has nothing to do with physical touch. Instead, the idea I’d like to suggest here is a spiritual one that is relatively new to my practice. I certainly don’t claim to have ‘thought’ of it. Indeed, it is so simple and obvious that it may seem ridiculous to even spell out.
But it has proven to be a powerful habit that God has used to bear fruit in my own spiritual growth.
What is it?
On Sunday morning I find a few quiet moments and a secluded spot, open my Bible to the passage from which the Sunday sermon will be preached, and I bow my head to ask God for His help and guidance.
Then, I thoughtfully read the passage through.
That’s it.
Sometimes my reading brings questions to mind. Often, I ponder what our pastor will choose to bring out from a longer section of verses.
On most occasions I find it causes me to look forward to the sermon with anticipation and expectation, giving me context and familiarity about the text.
An unexpected benefit has been that it has increased my comprehension and learning as I later do sit and listen to the passage preached that morning.
May I suggest this simple, easy practice to you?

If your pastor (like mine) gives notice of the Scripture passage being preached the next Sunday, make a note of it.
On Sunday morning, take some private time before you leave for church to read it through.
Then ask God to use His Word to speak to your heart.
(In the minutes it takes you to read, you’ve now given Him twice the exposure.)

That, to me, is a ‘little tip’ with big reward.