John 14:13 – Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (ESV)

In March, 2020, my sister-in-law Joanne passed away very unexpectedly. The family of three — Joanne, Caroline (my wife), and Dora (their mum) — were all very close due to the demise of their dad when the girls were but teenagers. Joanne was Caroline's elder sister and consequently the organizer of the group, and her great influence is sadly missed. Another reminder of her memory is a pair of silver Christmas tree earrings, an item passed on which is of great sentimental worth for Caroline.

As it was now Advent, Caroline considered them suitable to wear to work. One night that week, Caroline declared that she had lost one of these precious beautifications and was in a state of consternation. So, it fell to me to set about the house looking for the missing earring. In the process of looking, I came across my elder daughter Zoë sitting on the sofa in the living room, glued to her iPad. She wanted to know what I was searching for. So, I explained that mum had lost one of her sister's precious earrings, and I was attempting to find them, without any success so far.

I was reminded how in the past God had helped me to discover the unfindable when I had lost my glasses years before. I retold her the story of how God had led me to my glasses by stopping me just at the point where my glasses were on the ground, right in the middle of the field of long grass on the edge of a path that traversed in front of me. God had helped me by an act of undeserved grace when the odds were stacked against me, because I had called out to Him. Praise God for His mercy and His amazing grace.

Now, having finished the description, I needed another act of grace to find this small silver trinket. As I turned, there at my feet as I stood in the doorway, I saw the earring! It was a great way to bring alive to Zoë, who has not yet acquired my lifetime experience of calling to God in desperation, how through Jesus, as we call out to Him in need, God hears our prayers and we honour Him!

I encourage you to use God's miraculous interactions with us to serve as witnesses of His grace and glory to others, especially to our own children.

Deuteronomy 6:7 – Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (NIV)

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your amazing grace shown to us. May Your light shine in us for those who follow, as we tell how You love us in practical ways. Lord, hear our prayers for the young today and grant all of us the expectation of Your presence and a greater awareness of You with us today. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Rod Marshall <roderickhenrymarshall@gmail.com>
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England
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