FEBRUARY 3, Ephesians 2:10

“Sometimes when I get home from school, all I want is food that’s cool,” chanted Mandy, making up the rhyme as she opened the freezer and took out an ice cream bar. She grinned at her brother Michael.

Michael rolled his eyes and made up a rhyme of his own. “I think your rhyme is kind of sad; your poetry is really bad,” he said. Mandy laughed and went outside, where her mother was working in the garden. “Hello, Mother with a thumb that’s green. You have the best vegetables I’ve ever seen.”

Mom smiled. “Still working on that poem you need for school?”

“I’m trying, but I’m about ready to give up. We read such good poems at school, but all I can think of are silly things,” complained Mandy.

When Dad arrived home, Mandy greeted him with another of her rhymes. “Dad, you’ve had to work all day. Sit down and relax now, while you may.”

“Oh, Mandy, I think your poems are getting worse,” teased Michael. “How about this? Mom, that chicken looks so fine that it’s time we sat down to dine.”

Dad laughed and joined in the fun. “My family is always such a delight. It’s a joy to be home this Monday night,” he told them. As he sat down at the table, he added, “Actually, I know of a very special poem. It’s mentioned in the Bible-in Ephesians 2:10.”

“That was our verse for Sunday school last week!” exclaimed Mandy. “Let me think! It’s… ah… oh, I remember! It says, ‘For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.’ That doesn’t sound like a poem, and it doesn’t say anything about a poem.”

“Don’t be so sure,” said Dad. “I read that the word ‘workmanship’ comes from the Greek word ‘poiema.’ That’s the same word from which we get our English word ‘poem.’ So to say we are God’s ‘workmanship’ is like saying we are His poem. Always remember that God wants you to be a poem that blesses others -one that does ‘good works.’”

Thought: If you’re a Christian, remember that you are God’s “poem.” So, what kind of poem are you? Are you the kind people enjoy?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be a blessing to people as You have been! I now know I am to be a “poem” to others and pray that You would help me to be what I am supposed to be. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.