Scripture Scribbles: October 1, 2023

the Gospel

Matthew 21:28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people:
"What is your opinion?
A man had two sons.
He came to the first and said,
'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.'
He said in reply, 'I will not,'
but afterwards changed his mind and went.
The man came to the other son and gave the same order.
He said in reply, 'Yes, sir, 'but did not go.
Which of the two did his father's will?"
They answered, "The first."
Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you,
tax collectors and prostitutes
are entering the kingdom of God before you.
When John came to you in the way of righteousness,
you did not believe him;
but tax collectors and prostitutes did.
Yet even when you saw that,
you did not later change your minds and believe him."

the devotion

“I know what we can do,” my dad exclaimed suddenly and excitedly after glancing at the shed housing our old rowboat, the name “Happy” stenciled prominently on the back. “We can take ‘Happy’ out on the Charles River.” My brother and I exchanged a look of horror. Taking ‘Happy’ anywhere was a nightmare, maneuvering the heavy, awkward lug out, stumbling while carrying it up the hill on to the trailer, driving seemingly forever 20 miles below the speed limit to avoid a rollover, then dragging and plopping “Happy” into the river. After the row, the whole process was repeated in reverse, only even worse because it included a thorough washing and scrubbing of “Happy” before returning it to the shack.

We breathed a sigh of relief when my dad changed his mind after witnessing our unenthusiastic expression/response. Tears well up in my eyes now as I think about the hurt that I must have caused my dad. Instantly, I sapped all the joy out of his heart and forever lost this opportunity to bond together as a family.

I thought I was a loving daughter (my thoughts/words), but that day my action was far from loving. I was the first son. I didn’t do my heavenly or earthly Father’s will due to my selfishness. My thoughts/words did not match my actions. I have matured some since my teenage years and try harder now to do my Father’s will (respond in love). They will know we are Christians by our love.

Today’s devotion is written by Karen Molvar