“I was blessed to witness something yesterday that really warmed my heart,” Stan began. “And it was a perfect example of Christ in action.”
“What was that?” I asked.
“I was out in the front yard doing some gardening,” Stan replied, “and one of the neighborhood children, a young girl, came by with a box of candy.”
“Was she selling candy?” I asked.
“No,” Stan responded, “and that is what was so great. She was giving it away.”
“Giving it away? Why?”
“I asked her that,” Stan said. “And she told me her daddy had come home with a box of candy for her. A gift for no particular reason. It wasn’t Valentine’s Day, her birthday, or anything like that.”
“Okay, then what?” I asked.
“Apparently she had a piece and then went out in the neighborhood to share. And that is where I came in. The little girl opened the box and showed me that there were only two pieces left. She said something like, ‘These are for you and Mrs. Stan’.”
Continuing, he said, “I teared up and thanked her. She left and I went inside to share the gift with my wife. As we enjoyed the delicious candy, I mentioned that the neighbor girl had just done what Peter told us in his first letter.”
“What’s that? I asked.
“While I don’t think Peter was talking about a box of candy,” Stan replied, “Peter did tell us that we are to share with others whenever we receive a special gift. But I can assure you that every gift from God is sweet!”
“And,” he continued, “I think what Peter was writing about applies to every special gift I receive. Doesn’t matter what it is. It can be a material blessing, insight as to a truth God has for me, whatever. I am to to share it in serving another person.”
“If,” Stan concluded, “God has given me a special gift, I am not to be greedy about it. I am to share it with those people God brings before me.”
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As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for all of the gifts you have poured out and continue to pour out on me. Thank you for the gift of life eternally with you when it is time through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thank you for the gift of knowing you and Jesus on this side of eternity. Thank you for all of the gifts of your provision of everything I need. I confess that too often I want to keep what you have given for myself alone, without sharing with others. Please, Father, forgive that selfishness. And please help me in following the lead of the Holy Spirit in giving and sharing all of your gifts. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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Things to think (and journal) about:
1. What is your biggest take-away from this devotional?
2. What does this devotional say about God and about us as His people?
3. What is God saying to you to do personally?
4. Who can you share this with to make a difference?
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Comments, questions, suggestions, and the like can be addressed to The Storyteller at: waiting4thetrain@gmail.com.
Waiting for the Train 