Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Monday, February 12, 2018

Jesus said, "And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded."¹

A successful man known for his generosity was driving his new car through a poor part of town. A boy tried to flag him down. The man didn't want to get involved, so pretended he didn't see the child. As he slowed for a red traffic light, he heard a loud crash. Someone had thrown a brick at his car, denting the trunk.

The man stopped, jumped out of his car and grabbed the boy that threw the brick. "You juvenile delinquent!" he yelled. "You'll pay for this or go to jail!"

"I'm sorry, mister," the boy cried. "My mom's lying on the floor in our apartment. I think she's dying. Our phone's been cut off and I've been trying for ten minutes to get someone to stop. I didn't know what else to do! Take me to jail, but please, call a doctor for my mom first."

The man was filled with shame. "I'm a doctor," he said and asked, "where is she?" The boy took him to his mother and the doctor administered CPR and called an ambulance.

"Will she live?" the boy sobbed.

"Yes, son, she will," the doctor said.

"Then it's worth going to jail. I'm so sorry I ruined your car. You can take me in now."

"You're not going anywhere," the doctor said. "It was my fault you had to throw a brick to get my attention."

The doctor made sure the boy was taken care of, and as he drove home he resolved not to fix the dent. He would keep it as a reminder that not everyone in need has a brick to throw.²

Or, as another version concluded, "Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention! God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, he has to throw a "brick" at us. It's our choice: Listen to the whisper...or wait for the brick!"

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me a sensitive heart and a listening ear so that when someone in need reaches out for help, I will stop and be as Jesus to this person simply because of your love and all that you have done for me. Help me never to forget this. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Matthew 10:42 (NLT).
2. Author unknown. Variations seen on the Internet.

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