Daily Devotional

I had been sitting at my computer with my phone in my hand all day long. Weariness was seeping into my bones. The quest continued for eighteen more volunteers to staff the additional hour of Sunday School. Adding another service was wonderful but a lot of work. I whisper to myself, “Take a break, Karon!” My recliner enveloped my tired body as I drifted off in thought.

My mind went back to a time when our six-year-old foster daughter was sitting in church. Her face! How could I forget the look of intense concentration as she watched a drama about the Easter Story. Little did I know at the time, the drama would continue after church.

Pulling her along, I rushed her to the car. Her mood was whiney as she spouted off complaints in her high-pitched voice. Of all the days—Easter Sunday!

When I released her from her seatbelt, she stomped into the house. Being the “in control” Mom that I am (or so I think I am), I lead her into her room and say, “You can stay in here as long as you want to whine. When you are done, come on out.” I rush into the kitchen and begin to prepare for twenty-four people coming for lunch. I turn around, and she is right there…in full “whining” mode. Sternly, I say, “I can see you are not done whining. Go on back to your room.” She whimpers as she walks away. Peeling carrots, a thought pops into my head: “Karon, stop what you are doing and go talk to her.” I argue with myself: “I have to get these carrots done!” But I soon submitted to what I believed was God’s prompting and said, “Okay, I will do it!”

As I sat down on the bed beside here, I asked, “What’s wrong?” Instantly, she exploded into a volcanic eruption of tears and threw herself into my arms. Through her jagged sobbing I catch a word and then another. I was finally able to piece together what she was saying, “I am so sad Jesus had to die for me! I am so sad for Jesus!”

Now I am crying! “Oh, God, I was so wrong. I almost missed it. Thank You, God for pushing me. Thank You for being in control!” As we clutch at each other, we talk about Jesus our Risen Lord. We then talk about Heaven and how to become a Child of God. Gently, I lead this precious little girl in the prayer to accept Christ’s free gift of salvation.

When all the family and guests arrive, they are greeted by a different child—whose whining was gone and joy was exuding. She was transformed that day into a bouncing Tigger as she joyfully told all who would listen that she had accepted Jesus. What an Easter celebration to remember!

Lifting myself out of the daydream, I pick up my phone. Time to go back to work. I wonder who God will provide to teach the kids in Sunday School? Think about how God had touched the heart of our young foster-daughter, I said to myself, “I know He will provide; He always does. Oh, how He loves children!”

Luke 18:16 - “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (NIV).

New International Version (NIV)
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