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FAMILY DEVOTIONS
Get inspired with this month's encouragement.
Do Not be Anxious …
I’ve always been a bit of an organizer—I really like having everything in its place. In fact, when I was a little girl, one of my favorite things to do was to organize my toys. I had a container full of all kinds of different toy foods: fruits, vegetables, breads, meats, cakes, you name it. I’d dump that bin out on the floor and spend hours putting everything in order. I know it sounds thrilling but I just loved it. Well, I loved it until someone else wanted to join in. If my parents invited other families over to hang out for a meal, I would get so anxious just thinking about other kids showing up and messing with "my food". What if they moved something out of place? What if they put a purple food next to orange food!?! Can’t you feel the stress I was facing? Ok, maybe not, but you get the picture. Little kids aren’t always rational about sharing their things (well… some adults too).
Dad tried a preemptive strike by talking to me beforehand, reminding me that I had to share my toys with the other kids. I would always agree with Dad that, yes indeed, sharing is a good idea. But when those little friends showed up, I’d spend the entire time trying to keep them out of my room. Matthew 6:31 & 33 says, “31 Therefore do not be anxious saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’… 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” It may seem a little weird to quote this verse here, as I’m pretty sure Jesus was talking about real food, not plastic food. But I think that makes it even more relevant to this story. I mean, if we shouldn’t be anxious about the basic necessities of life (food, drink, clothing), then we DEFINITELY shouldn’t worry about sharing our toys. God wants us to trust him and put Him first in all things.
After our friends would leave, Dad and I would have another conversation that usually involved some discipline. I didn’t like it at the time, but I’m grateful for it now since he taught me to love others more than things.
Questions
1. Do you have any toys that you don’t like to share?
2. What can you do to make sure you’re not putting toys, or anything else,
before others?
Prayer
God, thank you for the abundance of things you’ve given us. Thank you that we have toys to play with and food to eat and clothes to wear. Help us to be good at sharing those things with other people. Help us to seek your kingdom first and to trust you in all situations.
Bonus
Come up with an idea as a family to share with others. Maybe donate food to a food pantry or soup kitchen, donate clothes to a thrift store, or take some cookies to a lonely neighbor.
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