Focus
Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything other than God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word.
Read
Psalm 103:1-8 (NRSV)
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits—
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good as long as you live
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The LORD works vindication
and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Reflect
“No, thank you. We don’t need any assistance. My husband and I are financially able to give our niece a wonderful Christmas.”
“I assure you,” Debbie explained, “our purpose is not to provide charity to our recipients. This program reaches out to incarcerated men and women who want to make a connection with their children. Unless you tell her otherwise, the gifts we buy for Sarah will appear to have been sent directly from her mother.”
As coordinator of the Prison Fellowship Angel Tree Program in our local church for over twenty-five years, Debbie had heard this kind of dialogue often. Eventually, Sarah’s aunt agreed to participate, and the day after Christmas she called Debbie to thank her.
“You will never know what a blessing your church has been to my niece. She has been having trouble sleeping since her mom left, but after receiving the doll ‘from her mother,’ she fell immediately to sleep last night while hugging it tightly in her arms. Thank you again for being a blessing to our family and for giving grace to my sister.”
Giving grace through Prison Fellowship International has made a difference in the lives of our angel recipients and their families, and in the lives of our church members as well.
Pray
Lord, give me compassion for others, especially those who are in need of your grace. Make me a witness today to someone who needs your love. Amen.
Go with God.
Leave a Reply
Your email is safe with us.