Daily Devotional for March 14, 2022
Life’s Thorns (Part 1)
“At church, Miss Linda sent us home with a challenge to do this week,” Grace said. She handed her mom a piece of paper. “But I’m not sure how to do it.”
Before Mom could read it, three-year-old Alina ran in from the porch, her cheeks wet with tears. “Mommy, look at my finger! That flower hurted me!”
Mom set the paper aside to check Alina’s bleeding finger. She wiped away the blood, kissed the sore spot, and put a bandage with bright flowers over the wound. “Remember, sweetie, those rosebushes have thorns.” Smiling, Alina went back outside.
Mom picked up the paper Grace had given her. “Find a hurt and heal it, find a need and fill it,” she read. “That’s a good challenge. Have you thought of some hurting or needy people?”
“A few, but I don’t see how I can possible heal anybody!” said Grace. “That’s what doctors do, not kids like me.”
“Didn’t Miss Linda talk to the class about different kinds of hurts?” Mom asked.
“Well…yeah, but I didn’t really get it,” said Grace.
“As Alina learned, rosebushes have thorns that can hurt you,” said Mom. “And in a way, life does too. Like thorns, difficult situations may cause hurts—things like disappointment, sadness, or anxiety. Those are the kinds of hurts we can help heal.”
Grace sighed. “I know there are lots of hurting people. Like Juliette—her parents are getting a divorce. And Easton’s older brother is in jail for selling drugs. Brynlee’s dad lost his job, so she never has money to do anything after school. They’re all hurting, but what can I do to help? I’m just a kid.”
“Think about Alina. I didn’t really heal her finger, but I think I helped heal her pain a little by giving her a lot of love,” said Mom. “That’s the kind of thing you can do too. Since you know Jesus, you can share His healing love with others. Find a way to encourage those kids and make their day brighter. Best of all, you can point them to Jesus, the one who really can heal their hurts.”
“Okay,” Grace said thoughtfully. “I’ll do that.”
-Barbara J. Westberg
How about you?
Do you know someone who is hurting? How can you show them God’s love and care? By inviting them to sit with you at lunch? Listening to what they have to say? Letting them know you’re praying for them? Pray and ask God to show you what you can do to help those who are hurting. Don’t expect to solve all their problems—just being there for them can help point them to the healing love of Jesus.
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