An Old Piece of Wood

Bible Reading: ISAIAH 64:6; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-17

Carter was helping his dad pile firewood in the backyard when their next-door neighbor came over. “Looks like you’ve got some nice walnut here,” Mr. Stevens remarked as he stooped down and picked up a piece of wood that Carter’s dad had trimmed off a tree. “Mind if I borrow this for a week?”

“For a week?” asked Dad. He smiled. “Help yourself—there’s no need to return it. If you see anything else you can use, you’re welcome to it.”

“Thanks,” said Mr. Stevens, “but this will do for now.” With a wave, he turned and carried the piece of wood into his garage.

“I wonder why Mr. Stevens wants that chunk of wood,” said Carter.

Dad shrugged. “I don’t know. I should have asked him.”

They found out why a week later when they were grilling burgers in the backyard. Mr. Stevens came over to return the piece of walnut—but now it wasn’t a chunk of firewood anymore. It was a beautifully carved mallard duck. “I know you said I didn’t have to return this,” said Mr. Stevens with a grin, “but I want you to have it.”

“It’s beautiful!” said Dad. “Thank you! We’ll put this on our fireplace mantle instead of in the fire.”

“Wow!” Carter said. “Look what you did with just an old piece of wood!”

The neighbor smiled. “I enjoy carving things. When I see an old piece of wood change into something beautiful, I’m reminded of what Jesus did for me. I was a sinner living a life of selfishness and pride, but Jesus took me and made me a new person!”

“Oh?” said Carter’s dad. “Interesting. I know a little about Jesus, but I’ve never heard anyone talk about Him like that before.”

“Me neither,” said Carter. “Can Jesus change anyone into a new person?”

Mr. Stevens nodded. “He saved me from sin, just like I saved that old piece of wood from the burn pile, and He gave me a new life. And He will do the same for you.”

Carter pointed to the carving. “Can I take it in and show Mom?”

“Sure.” Dad handed him the duck, then looked at his neighbor. “Thanks again. You’ve given me something to think about.” LINDA M. WEDDLE

How About You?

Has Jesus changed you and made you a new person? He gave His life so you could be saved from sin and have a new life with Him. Trust Him as your Savior, and He’ll make you into a beautiful, new creation! (To learn more, click the “Good News!” button in the right column of this page.)

Today’s Key Verse:
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 ANYONE WHO BELONGS TO CHRIST HAS BECOME A NEW PERSON. THE OLD LIFE IS GONE; A NEW LIFE HAS BEGUN! (NLT)

Today’s Key Thought:

You can become a new person