The story is told of a man who was hired to paint another man’s boat. While prepping the boat for paint he found a small hole and repaired it without saying anything to the owner. When the job was finished the owner paid for the work done as agreed upon and took the boat.

Later, the owner returned to the man who had painted the boat and handed him a check for a large sum of money. Puzzled, the repairman stated, “You already paid me.”

The boat owner shared, “I returned home yesterday afternoon to find the boat was gone. I knew my sons had taken the boat out fishing. I became terrified, because right then I remembered the boat had a small hole in it, and feared the worst for my two boys.

In a little while I saw my boys returning in the boat from their fishing adventure. Upon inspection I found the hole had been repaired under the paint job. I knew you had repaired the hole. What you did, repairing that hole, you saved the lives of my children and a lifetime of grief for my wife and me. I do not have enough money to repay what you did for me.”

In this life you have many opportunities to repair small holes in the lives of people God places in your path. Do not disregard them. Sometimes it is sitting with someone in silence. Other times it might be simply a listening ear, opening a door, a cup of coffee, a kind greeting, or providing a small need. Every kind gesture could be repairing a small hole in someone’s boat.

You never know when someone around you needs that quiet repair or how many lives you will save due to your watchful eye and listening ear. God places these people in your path so He can be a blessing through you. Neither do you the size of blessing you will receive for your actions.

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.