Rocks and Rewards
For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. Mark 9:41
Once there was a girl who was very special. She loved people and loved helping them. She helped her mother and made presents for her father. She was happy and loved. When she went to school, things began to change. She did things to help her friends and made gifts for them. One day she gave a present to her friend, but instead of saying thank you she left it on the table and walked off. The girl decided she would have to be more careful about who she gave her love to. To remind herself, she picked up a rock and put it inside her heart.
Eventually the girl grew up. She gathered many rocks as reminders of times she was hurt. She even made a pouch to keep them in. She decided that she would shower her love on one person. She married and gave her whole self to make her husband happy. For a while this went well, but eventually he stopped showing his gratitude for what she did. She decided to devote herself to her children. Surely they would appreciate her. Anyone who has children knows how well that worked. The pouch of rocks in her heart grew so heavy that she stooped when she walked, and she had become bitter and angry.
One night she had a dream. She saw Jesus, shining and glorious. He smiled at her and said, “Give me the pouch of rocks in your heart.”
“Oh, no!” she cried. Then no one will know the things that I did.”
“I’ve seen every one of them. Give me the pouch, please.” he repeated.
Reluctantly she handed it over. He poured the contents into his nail scarred hand and she cringed, thinking of the ugly reminders of hurts. When she looked, she was startled to see instead to pearls, beryl, jasper, emerald, sapphire and many other precious stones. Amazed, she asked where they came from.
“These are the jewels for your crown. No good deed, however small was ever overlooked.”
After that she was once again the happy loving person she had left behind so long ago.
May we all follow her example.
Lord, help us to crave your approval and not that of others.
FEEDBACK: How do resentments and the feeling of being overlooked hinder your life?
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