Sourwood Honey

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 1:12–17

Greyson sat up, threw his legs over the side of his bed, and dried his tears on the sleeve of his shirt. There’s no use wasting time praying for Dad anymore, he thought. There’s nothing I can do to make things better. I’ve prayed and prayed, but nothing’s changed. Dad’s still in prison—I don’t think he’ll ever change—and Mom has to work long hours every day. We might never be together as a family again.

Greyson got up and went outside. He found his grandfather getting honey from the beehives at the edge of the woods. Greyson thought Grandpa looked like an astronaut in his white coveralls and the veiled safari hat he wore for protection from the bees.

When Grandpa was finished, he waved to Greyson. “You can help me take this sourwood honey to the house,” he said.

“Okay. I can help put the honey in jars too if you want,” Greyson replied. He peered into his grandpa’s face through the netting and asked, “Why is it called sourwood honey when it’s so sweet? That doesn’t make any sense.”

Grandpa pointed to a nearby tree. “Because it’s made from the nectar bees take from the blossoms of that sourwood tree,” he explained. “After the bees put the honey through their unique processing system, it becomes one of the finest kinds of honey in the world.”

Grandpa removed his safari hat and took a deep breath. “It reminds me of what Jesus does for us. He takes a lost soul out of the clutches of sin and death, processes them through His love and forgiveness, and out comes a brand-new person.”

Grandpa put his hand on Greyson’s shoulder. “I know things are difficult for you right now—and may even seem hopeless—but don’t give up. Keep praying for your dad, Greyson. No matter how bad things seem to be, everything is possible with God. Your dad needs to know Jesus as his Savior, and then he’ll be a new and very different person—a new creation, as the Bible puts it.”

Greyson nodded. “Can we pray for him right now?”

“Of course,” Grandpa said, and they bowed their heads to pray. •Rebecca Somesky

How About You?

Does it seem like someone you love will never change? Do you wonder if it’s any use praying for them anymore? Don’t give up. God hears your prayers, and He can save and change anybody. Today’s Scripture reading describes the great change that happened in the apostle Paul’s life. It reminds us that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” of whom Paul says he is the worst. Keep praying for your loved one and trust God to answer.

Today’s Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17 If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

God can change anyone