Little to Give

Alex sunk down in his wheelchair as his pastor talked about upcoming ministry opportunities. It was hard to be invisible when his wheelchair was out in the aisle. He wanted to serve, but how could God use him?

When his friend Ethan nudged him, he realized he had missed what the pastor was saying. Ethan grinned at him. "You could do that! You're really good at board games."

Alex was embarrassed. He had not heard what the pastor had said. After church, he asked Ethan about the announcement.

"They need volunteers to serve at the nursing home for game night," Ethan said. "They're looking for people to bring board games and play them with the residents. You have tons of games, and you're really good at them."

Alex thought about it that afternoon. At family devotions that night, his dad spoke up. "Alex, did you hear the announcement about game night at the nursing home?"

Alex grinned sheepishly. "To be honest, I didn't hear it, but Ethan brought me up to speed. I never thought I'd be able to do much to serve because I'm in a wheelchair, but that sounds like something I could do."

Dad picked up his Bible. "God can use anything we do for Him, even if it seems small. It reminds me of a story in the Bible where Jesus uses a boy's small lunch to feed five thousand people. That boy didn't have much to give, but he gave what he had. Jesus did the rest."

Mom spoke up. "Just think about it, Alex. The people at the nursing home have had to give up things they love and learn to let others take care of them. They experience pain and weakness on a daily basis. You understand what that's like more than most kids your age. Maybe God wants to use you in a special way to help the people at the nursing home. Why don't you pray about it?"

Alex nodded. "Okay," he said. "I will!" Myrical Barton