Daily Devotion

We continue our devotional theme of Joyful Generosity— our stewardship theme for this year.  If you have not yet turned in your Estimate of Giving Card—please do so THIS WEEK.  Our devotions are stories shared by members of Good Shepherd regarding how they used their God’s Grace Your Hands check last September.

LOOKING AHEAD: next week we will take a break from our Joyful Generosity theme for these devotions and instead focus on teaching about Holy Communion as we prepare to share in the Lord’s Supper from home while worshipping online on Pentecost Sunday, May 31^st at 10am. 

Today’s story comes from Sandy Theilen

I shared this gift with a very special family in need. They have two 16 year old autistic boys. The mother has thyroid and kidney cancer, the father's job was eliminated after working for the same company for many years and their younger daughter had a melanoma spot remove recently.

The evening I met with the mother she cried and said "God never lets you down. God is good". She told me they only had a few dollars and were wondering what they might have for dinner that night. She told her husband not to worry she would figure something out.

This family has fallen on some hard times recently. They have always been hard workers and always positive no matter what mountain they have to climb. I never see this mom without a smile and concern for other people’s problems or needs. I had no idea when I decided to gift this family the money how much of an impact it would have on their lives at that very moment. What a blessing.

I also matched the church gift for a young couple who recently found out they are adding 3 little additions to their family in the Spring. Already have a 1 year old, dad is the stay at home daddy and mom is the bread winner. They have a small 2 bedroom house and 2 small cars. Mom will be ordered to bed rest fairly soon. They can really use the help. Sending prayers!

Psalm 86

Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,
    for I am poor and needy.
² Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you;
    save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; ³ be gracious to me, O Lord,
    for to you do I cry all day long.
⁴ Gladden the soul of your servant,
    for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
⁵ For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
    abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.
⁶ Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
    listen to my cry of supplication.
⁷ In the day of my trouble I call on you,
    for you will answer me.

Today pray for those who may feel overwhelmed by the burdens of life.  As you open your heart to God, who comes to mind that may need your prayer?