Daily Devotional for April 17, 2017
Every Bit Counts
Mark and his dad chose a spot out in the middle of the backyard to set up the rain gauge Mark had made at school. He was proud of the hollow tube and its funnel-like top. “This is the best school project I’ve ever done,” he said. “I hope it rains soon!” Hearing his mother call his name, he turned toward the house.
“Mr. Blake is afraid his garbage cans might roll out into the street if they stay in his driveway,” Mom said when Mark reached the house. “He’s not feeling well today, and it’s hard for him to walk. Would you go bring in his trash cans?”
“Okay,” said Mark, and he headed out the door. He returned a few minutes later and sighed heavily.
“What’s wrong?” asked Mom.
“Oh nothing,” Mark said. “It’s just that Mr. Blake has gone through so much—getting cancer, losing his wife—and I wish I could do something really big to help him. When I brought his trash cans in, I noticed paint peeling off the side of his house. I wish I could paint his house for him!”
A timer beeped, and Mom pulled a batch of brownies from the oven. “Well, you may not be able to paint Mr. Blake’s house, but you can run some of these over to him. That’ll cheer him up.”
Mark sighed. “Okay. But it’d be cool to do something big instead of just this little stuff.”
Later that day, it began to sprinkle, so Mark and his parents went to check his rain gauge. “It’s collecting water!” Mark said.
“Good,” said Dad, “but this is a very light rainfall. It will take a lot more rain than this to really measure water in your gauge.”
“Maybe,” said Mark, “but look! A little water is running into it—and every drop counts! The water will build up over time.”
“You’re right,” Mom said, “every little bit does count, and you know what? Every little thing you do for Jesus counts too. No matter how small or insignificant it may seem.”
“You mean like the stuff I do to help Mr. Blake?” asked Mark.
“Yes,” said Mom. “They’ll build up over time to show him a big picture of God’s love.” – Nance E. Keyes
How about you?
Do you think the small things you do for others don’t amount to much? Do you wish you could do something big? The Bible tells us Jesus came down from heaven to serve, and He wants us to serve too—even when it doesn’t seem like much to us. He uses the small things we say and do to show people how much He loves them. Serve Jesus by serving others.
Thank you for reading this Keys for Kids devotional! Did you enjoy the story? Has Keys for Kids been an encouragement to you and your family? If so, would you please consider supporting Keys For Kids Ministries in our effort to continue to provide these daily devotionals to children around the world?