The Most Special Thing

If you are visiting my blog today by virtue of linking over from the Proverbs 31 Ministries Encouragement for Today devotion, then welcome! I hope you will continue to check back with me and share your comments and thoughts.

Last Sunday we were driving home from church, and my 9 year old son showed me the picture he had drawn in Sunday School. When I looked at it, I couldnt quite figure out what it was. Being the 100% little boy that he is, I at first thought it was an ordinary picture of a villain who had been slain, and a person with fire around them because they were near the little smiling sunshine.

But when I asked him to tell me about it, my heart swelled. See his picture below:

He went on to explain that his Sunday School teacher had told them to all draw something special that God had done for them. After he explained his picture, it made perfect sense.

The person laying horizontally at the bottom of the page, with x’s on their eyes and their tongue sticking out, is a person who died (he said this is how everyone looks on cartoons whey they die). The angel above the person was that persons soul, who had turned into an angel, and was floating into heaven, because Jesus had died on the cross for his sins so that he could have eternal life. Wow.

Now if my teacher had asked me to think of something special Jesus had done for me, I probably would have pondered all kinds of things, such as my health, house, husband, healthy children, financial security, and any other blessings that I felt that God has bestowed upon me.

But in the mind of a child, the answer was quick and simple. Salvation, resurrection, and eternal life. How quickly we tend to forget that of all the great things that Jesus does in our lives, and all the blessings we have been given, pale in comparison to the most important thing He has done for us, which is offer His life for ours.

I want to challenge you today, friend. My P31 devotion today is about rejection – an ugly word that breaks hearts in two, sometimes beyond repair. I would imagine that every person reading this blog today has experienced rejection in their lifetime, from parents, friends, family and/or spouses, maybe all of the above. But I hope that you can smile today, when you remember that we do have hope – and just as my son so sweetly illustrated on his artwork, that hope is simple.

Salvation, resurrection, eternal life.

Our hope comes from knowing that no matter what happens earth, we have a loving Father who approves of us and loves us, despite our flaws, mistakes, insecurities or sins. He died for us – so that we can sprout wings one day and fly into the sunshine to be with Him.

If you are hurting today, let the sunshine shine on your face today, and ask God to fill your heart with an overwhelming feeling of peace and love that you could not obtain from anyone else. God loves you – and dont you doubt it for a moment!

His love is the most special thing we have ever received from Him, and nothing we do, and nothing anyone else says or does, can separate us from that gift. It is yours to keep forever.

Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior, the only one who truly accepts you and loves you unconditionally? If you are unsure, and you want to learn more about getting to know your heavenly Father, click here: Do You Know Him?

11 Comments

  1. ShabbyInTheCity on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 1:22 pm

    Tracie! Your devotion today :)I’m going to email in a minute…



  2. Julie B. on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 1:34 pm

    Dear Tracie,

    Thank you for the Devotion and your post today touched my heart. Our children learn so much from us, when the reality is if we paused for a moment like this they can teach us far more.

    With all God’s love,

    Julie



  3. Vern ~ Inspired on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 2:33 pm

    Tracie

    The pain of rejection is a stinker!

    But the power of God that helps us overcome that pain is Sweet!!

    Thanks for a sharing and encouraging us today!!

    Be Inspired!



  4. sagreen125 on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 2:37 pm

    thanks so much for your devotion on Proverbs 31, it was what I needed, so very much.
    Rejection is hard, and hurts deeply,
    but praying not only for those who hurt us, but that God will show us what to do and heal our heart, is what He wants
    thanks
    stacy



  5. Anonymous on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 2:53 pm

    Tracie, I have just suffered the biggest rejection of my life. It was devestating at a “personal hurricane” level. I trusted someone and paid dearly. I had such faith before, but I guess it’s not faith til it passes some kind of test. Honestly, I’m too weary to pass any test at all but I’m going to choose to begin reading my Bible and praying, even if I feel it’s absolutely desolate in my soul. Perhaps if I perform this as a function, a discipline, some tiny spark of life will sprout. I will try.Thank you.



  6. Jill on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 5:13 pm

    Tracie,
    I so enjoyed your devo today – the opening verse was exactly what I needed to hear! Right now I’m fearing rejection at a time when I should be excited in what God is doing! A publisher has offered a contract for a book I wrote about spiritual mothering, and I know it’s a direction God is leading though it’s out of my comfort zone. But the scary part is I know my mom, who has read and not understood the book or any of my decisions based on faith (all of them!) does not want this to be published. I feel stuck in the middle of the decision I don’t want to make, but like I said God reminded me of the right decision with your devo today. Thanks and I pray I’ll follow thru and please Him.



  7. MrsProverbs31 on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 5:32 pm

    What a sweet devotion and picture. It should be the only thing that matters. Thanks for drawing me back to what matters most.



  8. Anonymous on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 7:42 pm

    Dear Tracie,
    Thanks for sharing your rejections….
    I just found out a few months ago, that one of my family members has had hard feelings toward me..and has always felt like I have judged her and her family harshly, for 7 years!
    This came as quite a shock, and I appreciate your sharing, because I have been in the pity party, and just finished the book “The Shack” and I realize so much more, now.
    Thank you again, for contributing your knowledge and love of God to all of us.



  9. Joyful on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 5:39 pm

    Well, I had a real Tracie Day yesterday. Read your P31 Devotional, visited your blog AND my P31 magazine arrived in the mail – September – and you and your family were highlighted on the cover and your article was a blessing. With God bringing your name before me so many times yesterday I felt prompted to spend some time in prayer for you.

    May you know His presence with you today,
    Joy



  10. Anonymous on Monday, September 15, 2008 at 1:14 am

    Dear Tracie,

    God has shown me through your writing that He is here for me and that He will see me through the fresh pain and hurt that I’m experiencing now. Thank you for this timely message. It has blessed me greatly.

    I will rejoice in Him for He is my salvation!

    Love,
    Sarah



  11. Mari on Monday, September 15, 2008 at 4:13 pm

    Aweoms devotion. I love the way your son’s mind thnks!
    Trust in God we must because He truly is trustworthy!



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Tracie Miles is a bestselling author and the Director of COMPEL Training with Proverbs 31 Ministries.  She helps women grow stronger in their faith, pursue the life of purpose God designed them for and live a life of peace, joy and happiness despite their circumstances.

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