Last summer, I purchased a silk flower arrangement at a garage sale. The various flowers were arranged in a beautiful earthenware vase, and I couldn't help but stare at it. I brought it home and set it on my coffee table.

That weekend, my brother and his wife came for a visit. As we were sitting in the living room, my brother noticed the beautiful flower arrangement on the coffee table. My brother doesn't have any live plants in his home because he travels a lot and therefore invested in some very expensive dried and plastic flowers and plants. He commented on how much he liked the flower arrangement so I decided to give it to him.

"What's wrong with it?" he asked. I could sense the distrust and doubt that his question brought.

"Nothing," I said.

"How much do you want for it?"

"Nothing," I said, "take it, it's yours." And I went on to tell him how I had spotted the arrangement at a garage sale and bought it for next to nothing.

The look in his eyes was gratitude enough.

This interaction between me and my brother reminded me of how hard it is for some people to accept God's free gift of eternal life. God loved us so much that He sacrificed His Son on a cross for our sins, so that we could have a relationship with Him. Many think that we must live a good life or work hard to deserve this free gift, but all we have to do is accept it.

Ephesians 2:8-9 – For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. (NASB)

Have you received God's gift?

Prayer: God, our Father, we thank You for sending us Your Son, Jesus, to die on a cross for us. Sometimes, we go through times of doubt, and at other times, we are confident and sure. When we have received Your most precious, free gift, help us to trust in Your promise of eternal life. Amen.

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About the author:

Rosemary Hagedorn <rosyhagedorn@gmail.com>
Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada
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