Sadie’s Ring

Bible Reading: Luke 18:28-30

Sadie and her dad had a special daily habit. She would sit on his lap when he came home from work, and he would say, “Sadie, do you love me?”

Sadie would reply, “I love you, Daddy.” Then she would reach into his shirt pocket and find a little gift. It might be a quarter, a toy, or candy—a little surprise just for her.

One day Dad asked, “Sadie, do you love me?”

As usual, Sadie answered, “I love you, Daddy.” Reaching into his pocket, she found a little ring he had bought at a discount store. “Oh, it’s so pretty!” Sadie said. And she wore it every day even though it left a green mark on her finger.

When Dad came home from work a few weeks later, Sadie sat on his lap as always.

“Sadie, do you love me?” Dad asked.

“I love you, Daddy,” Sadie answered.

“Then give me your ring,” her father said with a twinkle in his eye.

But Sadie didn’t notice the twinkle. “Why?” she asked. “I love my ring. Why do you want it?”

“Just give me the ring,” Dad insisted.

When Sadie saw that he meant it, tears came to her eyes. “Oh, Daddy, I do love you, but please let me keep my ring,” she pleaded. He held out his hand. Sadie slowly removed the ring from her finger. She tried not to cry as she gave it to him.

“Now, reach into my pocket,” Dad said with a smile. “I think you’ll like what you find.”

Sadie could hardly believe her eyes when she pulled out a shiny new ring made of real gold. “Oh, Daddy! It’s so much prettier than the other one.” She slipped it onto her finger. “I love it. If I knew you had this for me, I’d have given you that old one right away!”

Dad chuckled. “This reminds me that sometimes Jesus asks us for things we really want to keep. But remember that when we surrender them to Him, whatever He gives us in return is even better than what we didn’t want to give away! We need to remember how much He loves us and be willing to give up anything for Him.” – Phyllis M. Robinson

How About You?

Are you afraid Jesus will ask you for something you don’t want to give up? Perhaps some money you’d rather spend on yourself or time serving others when you’d rather be playing? No matter what He asks of you, you can be sure that what He gives you in return will be far better. He loves you, and nothing He asks for could be better than knowing and following Him. Trust Him.

Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 85:12 Yes, the Lord will give what is good. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Give all you have to Jesus