Have you ever known a cantankerous person? The word “cantankerous” is an adjective that means “disagreeable to deal with; contentious.”

Bob was speaking to his brother-in-law about his family’s neighbor. “I mean to tell you that our son and daughter-in-law have the most cantankerous, miserable neighbor I have ever seen. I would not have responded so nicely to that old man. He has treated them miserably for over a year,” Bob continued. “Then sweet Caryn did something that that miserable neighbor didn’t see coming. She made him supper. She baked homemade bread, a full three course supper, and homemade apple pie!

That little lady who is barely five-foot marched right up to his door and handed him his supper. She said to him, ‘Mr. Charleston. You don’t seem to like us, but I want you to know that we surely love you. Good night,’ and she walked off the porch and came home. You won’t believe the difference in the old man,” Bob said laughing.

“You know,” Bob said, “I think that the Apostle Peter must have had Caryn’s neighbor in mind when he wrote, ‘Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing’ according to 1 Peter 3:9.”

For today: How about you? Do you have anyone who is cantankerous that needs you to be a blessing? I cannot guarantee that simply making supper for someone will make a change. But to tell you the truth, living your faith as a Christ-follower will give you opportunities to witness, even to the cantankerous!