No Joke

Read: James 5:16-18 “I wish I had a hundred dollars to put in the offering tomorrow!” Isabella told her mom. “The missionaries we’re collecting money for really need it, and I want to help them care for people and tell them about Jesus.” “If you’ll clean the cupboards for me this afternoon, I’ll pay you—not a hundred dollars, but a little,” said Mom. “Have you prayed about the money you’d like to give?” “Prayed for a hundred dollars?” asked Isabella. “No.” “You should,” Mom said. “Trust God to provide whatever amount He wants you to give.” Isabella was cleaning the cupboards when her friend Lillian came over. “I can play as soon as I finish cleaning this cupboard,” Isabella told Lillian. She sat down and looked at the cupboard. “I wish I was done.” “Well, I’ll help you,” said Lillian. “That’ll do more good than wishing.” “I know.” Isabella stood up. “I’m always wishing for things, and Mom keeps telling me that wishing doesn’t help. Praying does. So guess what I’m praying for now? A hundred dollars for the missionary offering!” She got down on her hands and knees to pull out something that was stuck in a corner of the cabinet. “Look,” she said, holding up an old penny. “This must be the start of the answer to my prayers!” The girls laughed at the joke. The next morning, the only offering Isabella had was the old penny and the money Mom had paid her. All together, it was far from a hundred dollars. That afternoon Lillian came over looking excited. “My dad helped count the offering this morning,” she told Isabella, “and he noticed that old penny. He collects coins, and he says it’s valuable—he said it might be worth over a hundred dollars! When I told Dad you were the one who gave it, he said I should tell you and give you a chance to take it back. Otherwise he can sell it and give the money to the missionaries.” She stopped to catch her breath. “So? Do you want it back?” Isabella stared at her in amazement. “Of course I don’t want it back! I’m giving it to the missionary offering, whatever it’s worth.” She grinned. “I prayed for money to give, and God answered my prayer in a way I never expected!” –Agnes Livezey How about you? Are there things you wish were different? It doesn’t help to just wish for things. When you stop wishing and start praying, things happen. God works wonders when His people pray. That doesn’t mean He will always answer your prayers the way you want, but He will use your prayers to help you grow in your faith and show His love to those around you. Pray and trust Him to use your prayers for good. Today’s key verse: The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16 (NIV) Today’s key thought: Pray and trust God