A Cup of Cold Water

I remember as a little kid liking this line from Scripture: “And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple—amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward” (Mt. 10). Great! I thought. I’m assured heaven for such a simple deed. And so I carried a thermos of ice water or lemonade to my dad working in the fields. I made Kool-Aid and popsicles for my siblings. I carried a cup of water to my mom mowing the lawn. I was racking up a lot of points with God. Plus, I felt so good about it! My heart was really into my little deeds. I felt God must be very pleased with me. How could God not be pleased when I saw the pleasure on my family’s faces? My picture of God looked like the pictures in my catechism, but my feelings toward God and from God were like the feelings expressed in my family. I learned all about God’s love and gratitude and kindness and thoughtfulness from my family. May someone feel closer to God today through our cups of cold water—in whatever form they take.