2021 Daily Devotion - Day 412
Going to Uncle Jimmy’s house was a wonderful adventure for me growing up. His home had extensive acreage with horses to ride, a pond to fish in, a pool to swim in, and tractors and farm implements on which to play.
But the most eye-catching thing at his house was the large den with the walls covered with big-game hunting trophies that Uncle Jimmy had collected from his many successful hunting trips to far-away places. After a while, his den floor was even adorned with a bear-skin rug.
At every meal we always prayed, thanking God for the food and fellowship. But the prayers at Uncle Jimmy’s house seemed to always thank God for everything. They seemed like a grateful child saying thanks to his or her father, and they warmed all of us who were there.
Many, many years later, all of his brothers, sisters, children, and nieces and nephews sat up front at Uncle Jimmy’s funeral. As we did at every wedding or funeral, we leaned into our shared love as we celebrated or mourned.
On the morning of the funeral, the senior pastor talked about all the good things this good man had done for so many in the community and area. Then he turned to fourteen nieces and nephews and addressed us personally. He said, “I want you to know that your Uncle loved you all very much, and he prayed for every one of you by name every day since he told God he would.”
I sat there stunned…I think we all did. Every one of us, every day, by name!
And for the first time, I understood what made Uncle Jimmy so special to me. It wasn’t about the place or the things he had. It was about what he had said to God, and had God say to him. And, he did what God told him to do. I knew Uncle Jimmy was a man who I wanted to be like when I grew up.
Luke 1:38
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.”
Pray with me:
God, let me ask You what You want me to do with what You’ve given me. Help me hold You at the center of my will and what I do. In Your holy name, Amen.
John Harrison
Men’s Ministries Volunteer Leader
Mount of Olives Church
At every meal we always prayed, thanking God for the food and fellowship. But the prayers at Uncle Jimmy’s house seemed to always thank God for everything. They seemed like a grateful child saying thanks to his or her father, and they warmed all of us who were there.
Many, many years later, all of his brothers, sisters, children, and nieces and nephews sat up front at Uncle Jimmy’s funeral. As we did at every wedding or funeral, we leaned into our shared love as we celebrated or mourned.
On the morning of the funeral, the senior pastor talked about all the good things this good man had done for so many in the community and area. Then he turned to fourteen nieces and nephews and addressed us personally. He said, “I want you to know that your Uncle loved you all very much, and he prayed for every one of you by name every day since he told God he would.”
I sat there stunned…I think we all did. Every one of us, every day, by name!
And for the first time, I understood what made Uncle Jimmy so special to me. It wasn’t about the place or the things he had. It was about what he had said to God, and had God say to him. And, he did what God told him to do. I knew Uncle Jimmy was a man who I wanted to be like when I grew up.
Luke 1:38
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.”
Pray with me:
God, let me ask You what You want me to do with what You’ve given me. Help me hold You at the center of my will and what I do. In Your holy name, Amen.
John Harrison
Men’s Ministries Volunteer Leader
Mount of Olives Church
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