Daily Bread January 18

Nothing Too Small
Marian Toews of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada


See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. -1 John 3:1a, 7

I have learned to appreciate Philippians 4:6. In the New International Version, it reads, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

The first time I prayed for help in finding my reading glasses, I did it without any confidence. I thought God wouldn’t want to be bothered with such a trivial thing. I was completely wrong. The first thing God told me to do was stop muttering negative things about what was happening. All that does is fan the flames. Then came the suggestion that I stop looking altogether-just go into the kitchen and make some tea or something. So I did.

As I made my tea, I tried a little smile. Then I began to sing a little. And then I exclaimed out loud, “You’re right, God! Life is too short to get all mad about such a small thing” … and there were my reading glasses. Right there on the counter. If I hadn’t been obedient, I would have just kept looking for my glasses, getting more and more frustrated, disappointed, and mad that God wasn’t answering my prayer.

I’ve noticed that God is a multitasker. In this one incident, I learned more than one thing. Besides the value of obedience, I learned how much more peaceful my life becomes when I don’t allow negative feelings to take over. And I learned how very much God loves me-and doesn’t miss even one opportunity to teach us a new thing and help us grow. God could just pick and choose which of us to nurture and encourage, while the less lovable ones could be left to wither. But God loves us all equally and wants each one of us to fully experience a new life in Christ. That’s why nothing is too small to bring to God.

Prayer Phrase

“Even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day…” (Psalm 139:12).

Spiritual Practice

Repeat this month’s prayer phrase slowly and intentionally within your heart. Invite this prayerful repetition to open a space of presence to the divine light within you. Where are you experiencing the light of God in your life and in the world?

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

Click here to comment or read online.

Comments Off on Daily Bread January 18

Filed under Daily Bread Devotional

Comments are closed.