Daily Devotional for July 12, 2018
The Gift
Editor’s note: This story’s subject matter may not be suitable for young children.
“I got the mail!” Shae said as she came into the kitchen. “There’s a package for you from Aunt Belle. I bet it’s a birthday present.”
Shae handed the package to her mom and laid the rest of the mail on the counter. A flyer for a baby sale caught her eye, and she thought of what her friend Lydia had told her that day.
“Lydia’s older sister is pregnant,” Shae told her mom. “She told Lydia she has to have an abortion because she can’t afford a baby, and Lydia’s parents won’t help her. She lives on her own and doesn’t get along with her parents, but she and Lydia are close.” Shae sighed. “I know it must be hard for her, but I don’t think she should do it. Lydia said it’s okay for her to get an abortion because it’s not a whole person yet, but that’s not what the Bible says.”
Mom looked at Shae thoughtfully, then she opened the package she was holding and pulled out a green scarf.
“It’s beautiful!” Shae said. “It’s your color.”
Mom smiled. “Your aunt is good at picking things out for me. But what if I’d tossed her gift in the trash without opening it? I’d be throwing away a good gift from someone who loves me, wouldn’t I?”
Shae saw what Mom was getting at. “And—and Lydia’s sister would be throwing a good gift away too.”
Mom nodded. “God created every human life, and each is very precious to Him—so precious He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us. Unborn babies are like gifts waiting to be opened. Every gift from God is good, even in difficult circumstances.”
“But I don’t think Lydia or her sister know God,” Shae said. “Maybe telling Lydia about your gift from Aunt Belle can help her understand how much Jesus loves her sister and her baby—and her.”
“I think that’s a great idea.” Mom put the green scarf back in the box. “Let Lydia know we’ll help her sister any way we can and that there are many Christian organizations that offer support too. We can’t make her keep the baby, but we can pray for her and do all we can to show her how much Jesus loves her.” – Suzanne Lanot
How about you?
Did you know that every human life is a gift from God—even unborn babies? He created each person, and we’re all so precious to Him that He sent His Son to die so we could be saved from sin. If you know someone who is thinking about having an abortion, ask God to help them understand that each life is a precious gift from Him. Pray they’ll know His best gift of all—Jesus!
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