“Mama, let’s go for a walk,” Tommy said on the first Sunny day since the young family had moved from the city to this country home.

That’s a good idea, Tommy,” replied Nora. “It will be good to leave my sewing machine for awhile, she said, as she stood up and stretched a bit.

Soon, the two of them, along with their collie dog Skip were walking down their country road into the bright sunshine.

“Oh, but we have to tell Paul we’re going, He would worry if he went into an empty house,” Nora said.

“I’ll run to the barn and tell him,” he called back, as he was already running toward the barn where Paul was working.

They walked slowly along the old country road enjoying the flowers at the edge of the road, and seeing rabbits and squirrels enjoying the sunny day too, as they jumped and ran around in the field next to the walkersand w.

“Oh look, Tommy, the clouds are racing in. It looks like we will be having a storm,” Nora fairly screamed. A few raindrops fell on each of them, but Nora was looking at the strange looking cloud straight ahead of them, ” There ‘s an old shack over there by the fence,” she said, pointing at an old shack. ” let’s go over there and stay until the storm blows over. They got inside the old shack just as the tornado hit the ground turning the shack into a pile of lumber with Nora, Tommy and skip under all the mess. But they weren’t hurt at all!

“We’ve got to get out of here and all I’ve got is these scissors here in the pocket of my apron.”

“Well, I’ve got a pencil, and that hole over there looks big enough for skip to get through,” answered Tommy, trying to look like a big man, taking care of things.

“You have given me an idea. Let’s cut a piece from my apron, write on it and tie it around Skip’s neck, He’ll know enough to get to Paul, “said Nora, excitedly. They got to work cutting their piece of apron, Soon Skip was on his way back to the barn. Paul took the makeshift collar off him, read the note and was on his way to help the walkers get home.

“You’re a good old dog, Skip” whispered Paul as he neared the pile of lumber.

“Boy! we’ve got quite a story to tell Grandma and Grandpa won’t we, Tommy? Paul said sipping his hot chocolate.

“Yup, we sure do,” answered Tommy.

Nora was comfortable, sitting beside the glowing fire in the fireplace and her hot chocolate in her hands to say anything, but she thanked God, who provides anything needed, especially today when he saw an apron, scissors, and a pencil which was just what they needed. ” Thank you, my heavenly Father,” she whispered.

Thanking God, every day, because there is something given each and every day, is our duty. An apron, a pair of scissors, and a pencil doesn’t sound like much, but it was enough for Nora and Tommy and I guess it was enough for God that time, huh?

Jenny opened the door one day to a lady she knew slightly at church, Mrs. Larson handed her a beautifully wrapped box, obviously a gift. Jenny was confused, but after taking the gift, she invited her inside. Mrs. Larson, noticing Jenny’s confusion, said, “That day you took over for me, playing the piano for the service meant so much to me. That was the day I got to go to my daughter’s graduation.” After some conversation. Jenny opened the gift, a complete score of a piano solo, very popular in that day. she thanked her and after a short conversation Mrs. Larson left.

Jenny didn’t like the gift at all. the music wasn’t at all what she liked. So she put it away and didn’t think about it again. Are you like that? Or did you actually take the gift at all? I’m talking about the wonderful gift of salvation that each and every one of us was offered. Jesus said In John 3;16, ” God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

What did you do with your salvation, or did you take that gift at all? It was offered to the whole world but many don’t take it. If you did take the gift, what are you doing with it now? Or are you just like Jenny, you put it away and didn’t think about it again? I think too many of us are like that. But Jesus also said we should take up our cross and follow Him. I believe we were given our cross when we accepted our salvation and we must follow Him. Following Him is easy because He told us that our burdens are light. So, He invites us to curl up in his arms and give our burdens to Him.

That gift is really a great gift! Not only that God gave His only Son. That must have been difficult for God but He loved us so much He had to do it! And the torture, suffering and death He took willingly because He loved you. But He rose again for all of us who accepted that gift. Don’t we have to do more than thank Him? The Bible tells us we must follow Jesus. Let’s do it! We will be much happier if we do.