AUGUST 29

Philippians 1:6

                                      GOD WILL CONTINUE TO HELP!

Jessie carefully worked a lump of clay with her Fingers. After a while, what had begun as a brown glob was turning into a vase. When Mom came into the kitchen, Jessie held it up. “It’s a present for Granny’s birthday,” said Jessie. “I’ll keep working on it until I have it just right.” And she did. When the vase was nally just the way she liked it, she put it on a shelf to dry.

That afternoon, Jessie was in the middle of an exciting book when Mom asked her to empty the waste baskets. Jessie made a face. “Why do I always have to stop what I’m doing to do my stupid chores?” she grumbled as she got up. Mom caught her eye and frowned.

Later, Jessie’s friend Michele came over to play... but after a while, Jessie lost her temper. “Hey!” she snarled when they were playing “dress-up” and Michele tried walking in Jessie’s new shoes. “Leave my stuff alone!” Michele kicked off the shoes angrily, and went home. With a sigh, Jessie went to the kitchen. “Mom,” she began hesitantly, “I... I did it again. I lost my temper and shouted at Michele.” She sat down at the table and rubbed a hand across her eyes. “I... I’m sorry I was grouchy about my chores, too,” she added.“I guess I’m hopeless.I’ll never be the kind of person I want to be.”

Mom wiped her hands and pointed to the shelf holding the vase Jessie had made. “That vase started out as a lump of clay,” she said. “It took a potter – you - to mold it into something lovely. And you worked at it until you had it just right, didn’t you?” Jessie nodded. “Well, when you accepted Jesus, you agreed to let Him mold your life,” continued Mom. “It takes time and patience, but He can smooth out the ‘lumps’ that keep you from being the kind of person He wants you to be.”

“Lumps?” asked Jessie. “Like my bad temper?”

“Exactly,” said Mom. “Sometimes He uses parents and discipline to help smooth the lumps away. Other times He may use unpleasant results from your own actions. But Jesus keeps working to make you more and more like Him. He doesn’t give up, and don’t you give up, either!”

Thought: Are you discouraged because you often do or say wrong things? Do you feel you’re hopeless, even though you’re sorry for doing wrong? God doesn’t give up on you, and you shouldn’t, either.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know I keep falling into sin, but please teach me to accept whatever correction You send as You mold you. Teach me to depend on You for help to stop doing the things that displease You. Thank You for continuing to work on me! In Jesus’ name – amen.