A certain man was offered a job to paint a small fishing boat. He earnestly brought his paint and brushes from his workshop and began to paint the boat a bright red, just as the owner asked him.

While painting, he noticed a small hole in the hull, and upon surveying the damage, he quietly repaired it.

When he finished painting, he notified the owner of the completed paint job, received his money and left.

The next day, the owner of the boat returned to the paint shop and came to the painter and presented him with a nice check, which was much higher in addition to the payment for the original painting job.

The painter was surprised and said “But you’ve already paid me for painting the boat Sir!”

“But this is not for the paint job. It’s for repairing the hole in the boat.”

“Ah! But it was such a small service… certainly it’s not worth paying me such a high amount for something so insignificant.”

“My dear friend, you do not understand. Let me tell you what happened:

“When I asked you to paint the boat, in my urgency, I forgot to mention the hole.

“When the boat dried, my two children took the boat and went on a fishing trip.

“They did not know that there was a hole in the boat, and I was not at home at that time.

“When I returned and noticed they had taken the boat, I was desperate and in fear because I remembered that the boat had a hole.

“Imagine my relief and joy when I saw them returning safe and sound from fishing.

“Then, I examined the boat and found to my surprise, that you had repaired the hole!

“You see, now, what you did? You saved the life of my children! I do not have enough money in the world to repay you for your ‘small’ good deed.”

 

So no matter who, when or how, continue to help someone in need, wipe away tears, listen attentively, and carefully repair all the ‘leaks’ you find. You never know when someone is in need of us, just to listen or meet a need. We never fully realize or know when God holds a pleasant surprise for us, just because we decided to be helpful and fulfill a need for someone.

Along your way you may have repaired numerous ‘boat holes’ for several people without realizing how many lives you’ve touched….

Make a difference….be the best you…share the blessings God has provided to you.