Beth and her dad were outside sitting on their half-built treehouse. Beth was hand-sewing a pillow, and Dad was just about to start on the third wall when Beth asked, "Dad, remember what we talked about last week? About nails being perfect for their user to build with, and about how I can use my talents to serve Jesus?"
"Of course I remember," Dad answered. "Have you made any arrangements to play the piano?"
"I'm going to play at the nursing home next week," Beth said as she looked down at her pillow. "But I feel like that's too small. I want to do big things for Jesus, not just little things like that. I want to make a difference."
"I see," Dad responded thoughtfully. Then, seeming to change the subject, he said, "All right, let me finish this wall." He put the boards in place, and just as he pressed a nail against the wood and prepared to pound it in, he declared, "You know, these nails are so small. Let's just put them to the side and not use them."
Beth looked up from her sewing. "But Dad! We need the nails to hold the treehouse together!"
"Yeah, but they're so minor," said Dad. "How can something that size be useful? I mean, the lumber is what you see. Why should we use nails? And that pillow you're sewing. Why should you use thread to hold it together? Why not just wrap the stuffing in fabric and be done with it?"
"Dad, nails and thread may be little, but they're so important! We need them to hold our projects together! We need--oh." Beth stopped when she saw her dad smiling. "You're talking about me, aren't you?"
"Yes, I am. Just as a builder uses small, seemingly unimportant nails and a seamstress uses thin thread, Jesus uses small acts of love and kindness in His plan to bring people all over the world to Him. He can use your music for big things, Beth."
"Thanks, Dad," Beth said. "I'll play at the nursing home and trust Him to use it however He wants."
"Good for you, sweetheart. Hey, maybe I should start a class! Nail Lessons with Dad.' Can't you just see it?"
Beth laughed. "Oh, Dad!" Natalie Crowe
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ever feel like the things you do for Jesus are too small? He uses all gifts, both big and small, to help others know His love. Don’t worry if the things you do to serve Him don’t seem very significant. Trust Him to use your little acts of kindness to make a big difference.
TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Romans 12:6 (KJV)
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them.