Best Gifts

by Christina Johnson

Two more days to finish twenty-nine pairs of white sailor pants for her church’s school play.  Twenty-five completed; only four more and she would be done.  Patty spent a lot of her time volunteering, because her heart was filled by Jesus and she looked for ways to serve.  But there had been a time when everything she did was because she was trying to earn God’s forgiveness.

Even though Patty had been confirmed as a teen and regularly went to church, she understood the law better than forgiveness.  Her parents had been strict and often told her that she was a sinful child and what her punishment would be if she did not do better.

Patty’s husband, Marty, expected her to make the decisions about church.  Marty would share Bible stories with the children and tell them that Jesus loved them, but he only accompanied the family to church for special services.  Their marriage was struggling and their six-year-old was not doing well in school.  Patty prayed that God would help her family be better so they would deserve his love and forgiveness.  She prayed daily, asking God to forgive her sins.

A few months after they moved into their first house, neighbors brought over information about a Summer Bible School to be held at the church across the street.  The neighbors encouraged them to enroll the children, and they spent some time talking about the joy of fellowship in Jesus.  They also left devotions and meditations for Patty and Marty. Patty and Marty discussed enrolling the children in the Summer Bible School; to Patty’s surprise, Marty wanted them to go.   The next day Patty called the church to get the children enrolled.  The church secretary asked if Patty and her husband would like a visit from one of the pastors.  Patty set up a time for the following week, but Marty wasn’t pleased about that.  He asked Patty to cancel the pastor’s visit.

Summer Bible School started and the children came home every day excited to share what they had learned.  Family meals became filled with discussion about Jesus’ love for everyone.  While the children were at Bible School, Patty was spending time studying the meditations and devotions left by the neighbors. 

At the end of that week, parents were invited to the Summer Bible School closing service followed by a potluck dinner.  As Patty made salad for the potluck, she was thinking about a Bible verse she’d learned: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).  It was so clear that Jesus was telling her he had always loved her.  She had spent several hours studying Luke 7:36-50, using one of the devotional items that was in the materials from the neighbors.  It was during this devotional time that she realized her sins had been forgiven and her faith was given by God.  She could not earn forgiveness. 

Patty could picture, in her mind, the sinful woman who had brought an alabaster jar of perfume as a gift for Jesus.  “As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them” (Luke 7:38).  The sinful woman’s love for Jesus flowed from a forgiven heart.  Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you, go in peace” (Luke 7:50).

Marty and Patty went to the church service and the potluck dinner that followed.  After the meal and fellowship, when everyone was helping to clean up, Marty and the pastor approached Patty to discuss available times for the three of them to meet the following week.  They decided to get together the following Tuesday.  Patty watched her husband walk back to where the other men were stacking tables and folding chairs and said a silent prayer of thanksgiving. 

Patty used to fear that Jesus did not love her.  She now knew she could never earn forgiveness; God simply gave it.  She and her husband joined the Bible study group at church. The children were enrolled in the Christian Day School.  The family attended church weekly and took an active role in activities.  Her love for Jesus and the joy and thankfulness in knowing that her sins were forgiven were the reasons Patty loved sharing her time, talents and treasures.  Faith had made it all possible – faith that came as a gift from from God.

Prayer: 
The weight of our sin is more than we can bear.  We praise you, Lord Jesus, for the forgiveness that we have through faith.  May all our gifts be evidence of our love, based in faith in you, Jesus.  Amen.

Christina wrote this devotion in connection with
a course on Devotional Writing offered
through MLC Continuing Education.