Daily Devotional for November 10, 2021

One of my all-time favorite things to do is baptize babies.  Luckily, many of the young couples in our church know this, so they have babies for me to baptize.  I have always thought that was very Christian of them.

What really disappoints me is every once-in-a-while, a young couple will feel they’ve reached their quota and decide it is someone else’s turn to have a baby for me to baptize.

Yesterday, as Blake was walking his beautiful four-year-old daughter, Preston, across the parking lot to our Mother’s Day Out program (MDO), I stopped my truck, rolled down the window and said, “You and Brynn make such beautiful children, I think you need to make some more.”

Blake said, “I agree but are you trying to get me killed?  Brynn would kill me.”

I said, “Well, let’s hold off because I am really busy and don’t have time to do your funeral.”

Blake looked relieved but, at that moment, a young mother walked past us taking her son to MDO.  I could tell by the startled look on her face, she wasn’t sure what to make in hearing a pastor tell one of the church members, he was very busy and didn’t have time to conduct his funeral.

This got me thinking.

The vows of the United Methodist Church are to “faithfully participate in the life and ministries of our local congregation through our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.”

If it was up to me, I would also add the vow to have a sense of humor and not take life too seriously.

There is no such thing as a sourpuss Christian.  That’s because we have the greatest news in the world.  News that permeates every aspect of life.  It’s only three words: “God Loves You.”

These three beautiful words bring joy where there is sadness, shine light in the darkest of nights, and relegate death, not to the terrifying ending the world sees, but instead simply a transition where we open our eyes and look into the eyes of our savior. 

Out of everyone in history, Christians are the ones who can smile, laugh, and see true hope everywhere we look.  That’s because the hardships of this world do not win – God does.

Paul said, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

So, no matter what you face today, remember the three words that matter most.  God loves you.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, help me tell the world of your joyful, healing love.  Use me to bring happiness to others.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Just for the record, two things.

First, I don’t really think Brynn would kill Blake if she got pregnant.  I do think she’d maim him but that’s very different than death.

Secondly, the only young couple in the church I don’t ask to have more children is Melissa and Scott.  That’s because Annalee counts as ten or eleven children on her own.  If you know Annalee, you know what I’m talking about.  They’ve reached their quota.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins