Daily Devotional for January 25, 2022

 
Today’s devotional is about five of my favorite people.  There are a lot of moving parts so bear with me.
 
Jim, Jan, Adrian, and Cindy sit next to each other in church.  They sit in one of the back pews so I can’t keep a close eye on them.  
 
The children of our church adore Adrian and Cindy because they teach the children’s Sunday school class that teaches Bible skills.  Going through this class is a rite of passage for all our children.  They love it.
 
What the children don’t know is Adrian and Cindy are former members of an organized crime syndicate out of New York City.  They are in Temple under the witness protection program.
 
Dominic is seven.  If you look up Cool in Webster’s Dictionary, you will see Dominic’s picture.  He is an awesome dude.
 
Every Sunday, at the end of the children’s sermon, each child is given two Tootsie Rolls.  One is to keep, and the other is to give to someone in the sanctuary and say, “God loves you.”  It may be the most important part of our worship service.  
 
A few weeks ago, Jim was sitting closest to the aisle.  When the children began giving out Tootsie Rolls, some of them walked up the aisle, and literally reached over Jim and Jan to give their candy to Adrian and Cindy.  Even though Jim was the odds-on favorite since he was sitting next to the aisle, he got nothing.  
 
Last week, at the end of the children’s sermon, Dominic walked up the aisle and gave Jim a Tootsie Roll.  Jim was so happy.  He had finally gotten a Tootsie Roll.  But then, the unexpected happened.
 
A few seconds later, Dominic walked back up the aisle, walked up to Jim, took the candy, and walked away.  
 
To make up for Jim’s disappointment, Adrian dug around in the bottom of her purse until she found a peppermint.  She gave it to Jim and made sure he knew God loved him.
 
The good news is while Dominic may or may not let you keep your Tootsie Roll; God will never take back his love.
 
There is nothing you can do that will make God love you more.  And there is nothing you can do that will make God love you less.  God loves you.
 
If you have ever wondered if God truly loves you, these are God’s words: “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”  (Isaiah 54:10)
 
While there is no guarantee you will keep your Tootsie Roll, there is a guarantee that God loves you.  That will never change.
 
Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, even though I don’t deserve, merit, or earn your love; you love me.  Thank you.  I love you too!  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.
 
God loves you.  That’s all that matters.
 
Also, you really need to have a good sense of humor to be part of our church.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.
 
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins