Daily Devotional for May 15

 

May 15                                                             Luke 11:24-36

The junior Sunday school class which I taught was making
window ornaments from dried seeds and flowers. Pressed
between colored tissue and popsicle sticks, they would provide
some early spring cheer for the children's bedrooms.

Nearly everyone was busy creating. Brad, however, wandered
the classroom, jabbing elbows, refusing to work, yet mocking
the others' products.

I sighed and started across the room, gearing up for one more
reprimand. For months I'd struggled to find something that
would soften this boy's resistance, something that would help
him understand that, despite his hostility, I loved him.

As so often happens, God used a child to begin the break-
through. Before I could reach Brad, he was engaged in a most
profound dialogue with Heather, a doe-eyed, sensitive child
who was in touch with the values of heaven.

"Huh! What's that s'posed to be?"

"I don't know yet."

"I'll tell ya what it is! It's nothin' but a pile of junk! Dead weeds
and crackly old seeds! Y'know, you're gettin' your dress
dirty!"

Heather paused, stared at her lap, then said decidedly, "Yeah,
but it's worth it, 'cause I'm helping something that started out
nice become even more beautiful!"

"Oh yeah? Well, I'll ask ya again, what's it s'posed to be?"

"An' I'll tell you again, I don't know yet! I won't know 'til
I hold it up to the light!" Then, very softly, Heather added,
"Brad, you are like these dead seeds and flowers. Go sit in
the sunshine, and see what you become!"

​

It was a holy turning point. Responding literally to Heather's
challenge, Brad'sat daily at his bedroom window and soon
flourished in the warm love light that flowed from parents,
teachers, friends, therapists, and God.

    God, what would I become if I sat daily in your light?

from The Road to Emmaus - An inclusive devotional Edited by Joseph W. Houle

Emmaus House of Prayer - Washington D.C