“After she had given him a drink, she said, ‘I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have had enough to drink.’ So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels.” Genesis 24:19-20 (NIV)

My 9-year-old daughter was learning how to make her own quesadilla. I watched closely as she placed the tortilla on the pan. She put a few pieces of cheese on her tortilla, but then she began to add more cheese. And then some more cheese. And then some more.

“Lucy,” I exclaimed. “You’re not supposed to put THAT much cheese on a quesadilla!”

To which she replied with a smile, “Daddy does!”

Apparently my husband puts on a few pieces of cheese like I do … and then some!

Just as a generous helping of cheese can make a quesadilla taste quite delicious, an “and then some” life can be quite extraordinary.

Simply look at Rebekah.

In Genesis 24, we read that Rebekah was going about her normal business at the water well. As she emerged with a pitcher of water on her shoulder, she met a man who would change her life forever.

This man was on a mission from Abraham to find a bride for his son, Isaac. Abraham’s servant had devised a clever test to sift out the best bridal candidate. He prayed that while he stood by the well amidst all the daughters of the townspeople, the right girl would exhibit a servant’s heart. He prayed, “May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’ — let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac” (Genesis 24:14a, NIV).

As we see in our key verse, that’s exactly what happened when he met beautiful, virtuous Rebekah. “After she had given him a drink, she said, ‘I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have had enough to drink.’ So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels” (Genesis 24:19-20).

Now this wasn’t just like getting a few glasses of water. Verse 10 reveals the servant had 10 camels. Each camel could easily drink 25 gallons (almost 100 liters) of water. Imagine having to draw out and carry 250 gallons of water in the hot sun!

I’ll be honest. I would have given the man a drink as requested, then gone home. It was common courtesy to offer water to another person, but it was uncommon courtesy to offer to draw water for a thirsty camel — let alone 10 of them!

But Rebekah was an uncommon woman. She did what was required … and then some. What does her act of service reveal about her character? We can conclude she was not above hard work. She was generous, patient, kind, resourceful, hospitable and very strong! Her “and then some” act of service was an answer to the servant’s prayer. His long journey had met success.

Notice the servant found Rebekah at the water well. It was ordinary work on an ordinary day in an ordinary place. Yet while she fulfilled her duty (and then some), God was about to fulfill her destiny.

How could Rebekah have known that her extra-mile attitude would give her a place in the lineage of Jesus? She would not only become the bride of Isaac and mother of Jacob. She would also become the grandmother of the leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel. Talk about influence! And Rebekah’s story in the Bible all began with an act of service.

May we duplicate Rebekah’s “and then some” work ethic in our homes, workplaces, churches and modern water wells (sometimes known as coffee shops). The next time you have an opportunity to serve, go beyond what’s expected. You never know what that extra will lead to in God’s plan for your life.

Lord Jesus, thank You for Rebekah’s example. Your Word is a light to my path. Help me go the extra mile for others. May I be willing to serve others, doing even more than what is expected to the glory of God. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY

Matthew 5:41, “If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.” (NLT)

Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (NIV)

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Visit Arlene Pellicane’s Facebook page TODAY, Friday, November 9. Stop by at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET as Arlene talks about how to go the extra mile at home (and why it’s worth it).

REFLECT AND RESPOND

Think of your current boss (or one from the past). How would he or she describe you? As a hard worker and a servant?

What’s one specific area in your sphere of influence where you’d like to live more of an “and then some” life?

Join the conversation! Share your thoughts from today’s devotion in our comments section.

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