September 18, 2019

Brian sent the following devotional. I hope it means as much to you as it does to me.

Tom:

As I shared with you, I have been traveling again for work. I was on a return flight from Charlotte, NC and was waiting to board the flight in the usual order of things. A little guy, maybe six or seven, marched to the head of the line to pre-board as a solo. Kids flying by themselves are very easy to spot because they let them board first, and carry all of their key papers in a pouch around their neck. I followed in the next group and noted he was seated in the row in front of me.

As the flight went along, my row could tell the little guy was having a blast in window seat and chatting it up with the guy who drew the seat next to him. Shortly after take-off we giggled as we listened to this man have to explain to a six or seven year old what a cocktail was from the drink menu, and that those were not kid drinks. He suggested apple juice might be more the kid’s speed.

A bit further into the flight, we listened to the guy tell the kid silly jokes, play thumb-war with the kid, and be just an all around stand-up guy. My row began to formulate our idea of who this stranger, being a stand-up guy for this little boy flying along, might be. One voted for a young soldier heading home who had younger brothers back home. Another voted for a young dad returning on a business trip from the week. The votes and thoughts went on with my row as we amused ourselves and listened to the man and the boy cut up on the four hour flight.

After landing, they let the boy off first, and I decided my row needed to know the answer to the question of who this guy was that had completely stepped up and been just an amazing guy. His answer was not nearly what any of our row expected. He told us he was a college student who had spent a few days with friends and was trying to get through one of the worst hang-overs of his life. And in that moment, God taught me yet another lesson in my travels. God can truly use anyone to bring good into this world, even the college guy hung over in the row ahead of me in the plane.

I hope God can find a way to use each of us today to bring a little joy, goodness and happiness into this world.

-BKC

When Mary was told that she was to be used by God for his purpose, she said, “Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your will.” (Luke 1:38)

Be open to the ways that God can use you. That’s why you are here.

Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, today I offer myself to you without reservation. Use me for your purpose. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

The lesson from Brian’s devotional is that even if you have a monster hangover, God can still use you. So there’s no excuse to not offer ourselves to God.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.

Tom Robbins