“And every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which He hath given thee.” Deuteronomy 16:17
Today’s Christian daily devotional
“I think you’re really going to like this, Auntie Hanky…” Gena peeks through the space under her arm. She’s trying hard to shield her work of art, yet beckoning me to look at the same time.
“Oh, I know I will!” I dance a jig like those Irish dancers we just finished watching on T.V. A thick winter socks flies off in the process.
“Auntie Hanky!” Gena giggles so hard she forgets to cover her drawing.
“I think I see something!” I lunge in the direction of her artwork.
Quick with her instincts, Gena grabs the paper, clutching it to her chest. Smiling triumphantly, she sticks her tongue through the spot that once held a tooth.
I feign a pain in my heart as I turn to finish donning our homemade pizza.
Nothing beats staying up late with your best friend, even if she happens to be only six years old.
This is a precious moment; I bask in it, watching Gena’s skinny elbow move back and forth as she intently works on her project. Gena flips that long hair of hers while carefully selecting the color of her crayons.
My heart dances a little gig of it’s own as I think about how much I love my Goddaughter. I’m touched by the love and effort she’s putting into her gift for me.
“It’s ready!” She hides the paper against her chest again. “Close your eyes for your surprise!” Leaning over, Gena brushes her tiny hands on my lashes, performing our nightly ritual after her bedtime story.
“Surprise!” Gena claps her hands excitedly while I slowly open my eyes.
Proudly, she turns her paper. The hand-drawn images are easy to distinguish: The girl in the golden tutu is little Genevieve herself. And, standing right behind her was a stick figure of a slightly taller girl in sweatpants; Gena’s artistic interpretation of me.
It’s so cute I can’t help but chuckle. I’m sporting an unusually large head. My arms are so long, that they wrap around both Gena and the heart-shaped pizza she is holding. At the bottom it says: “I love you, Auntie Hanky!”
Oh, words could never quite capture what her artwork meant to me. After reading Deuteronomy 16:17, Gena’s priceless work of art comes to my mind.
I imagine that’s how our Heavenly Father views the offerings of our lives to Him. In His vast wealth, what could be sweeter than a sincere gift from the heart?
Money cannot buy sincerity or love. A child knows this and God is quite aware of these precious qualities as well.
I suppose that’s why Jesus Himself celebrated the pure hearts of little children. He angered the wise sages when He called out their prideful disdain of youthful trust and devotion. Hearts that are hardened by their own wisdom will never be soft enough to see or feel the love of God. This is sad because it only tells us that most people stand in the way of their own blessings.
Is your heart so hardened that you’re missing out on the best things in life? You don’t have to stay hard. Pray that God will change your heart, and see what happens when you do!
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I have heard many talk about you as if you are their best friend. I want to know you the way that others speak about you.
Many times in the past I have laughed and called these people foolish. But, I have to admit; in the depths of my heart I have also been jealous. Could I really enjoy a personal relationship with you?
Lord, if you are real and I am missing out on you because of my own hard heart, please soften it.
Take away the layers of hardness that my own sin has created for me. Forgive me for reacting in a way that has only made me bitter and angry with you.
There has to be a better way to live life. I am not happy being this way. I feel trapped into thinking that things will never change.
Today, I open my heart to the truth that with God anything is possible. You can change an old and hardened heart to become soft again.
In Jesus’ precious name, please do this for me. I’m ready to open my life to you. Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verse: Deuteronomy 16:17
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan