The Greatest Gift You Can Give
One time, I was calling my friend named Shannon. I dialed the number and the young lady who answered sounded somewhat troubled. "Shannon, is this you?" I asked. The voice on the phone was muffled and said, "Yes, this is me, and I'm going to be okay." I was a little confused, and so I said her full name, "Is this Shannon so-and-so?" The young lady said, "No, you must have the wrong number. This is a different Shannon."
I was just about to hang up when suddenly I felt an overwhelming compassion for this young lady. I said, "Shannon, I know this may sound strange, but can I pray with you about something?" The young lady on the phone began to weep. She said, "Would you please? My father just died and I'm so depressed. I don't know what I'm going to do."
I took a few minutes to pray and speak faith into her. I simply shared the love of God, and I knew it touched her by the sound of her voice. Before she hung up, the young lady said, "You're my angel. Now I know that God still has a plan for my life."
God will bring people across our path so we can minister His restoration and healing power. But we have to be sensitive and follow that flow of His compassion. When you feel that inner prompting to stop and talk to someone, do it. You never know how your kind words, your thoughtful prayers, or your generous actions can change a person's life.
This holiday season, remember you are the hands and feet of Jesus. Take time for the people you encounter—even unexpectedly. Because beyond all the packages and lights, His love is the greatest gift you can ever give.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love (I Corinthians 13:13, NIV).
I was just about to hang up when suddenly I felt an overwhelming compassion for this young lady. I said, "Shannon, I know this may sound strange, but can I pray with you about something?" The young lady on the phone began to weep. She said, "Would you please? My father just died and I'm so depressed. I don't know what I'm going to do."
I took a few minutes to pray and speak faith into her. I simply shared the love of God, and I knew it touched her by the sound of her voice. Before she hung up, the young lady said, "You're my angel. Now I know that God still has a plan for my life."
God will bring people across our path so we can minister His restoration and healing power. But we have to be sensitive and follow that flow of His compassion. When you feel that inner prompting to stop and talk to someone, do it. You never know how your kind words, your thoughtful prayers, or your generous actions can change a person's life.
This holiday season, remember you are the hands and feet of Jesus. Take time for the people you encounter—even unexpectedly. Because beyond all the packages and lights, His love is the greatest gift you can ever give.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love (I Corinthians 13:13, NIV).