I Know That One
March 28, 2019 by Cynthia Ruchti
Filed under Daily Devotions, Family
By Cynthia Ruchti –
My granddaughter (6) spent the Sunday morning worship service on my lap instead of in her children’s church service that day a couple of years ago. A dozen excuses seemed to boil down to the fact that she just needed to be close to me for a while. Seemed a good enough reason for me.We quietly drew pictures on the sermon notes sheet as the pastor presented his message, but were careful to listen for the moments when he had us fill in a blank in those notes.
Because she reads and writes quite well, I let Gracie fill in the blanks if the words were familiar to her.
As softly as a six-year-old can whisper, I heard her reading one of the Scripture verses Pastor included in our notes. Her sweet voice sounded out, “If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away and everything has become new.”
She looked up at me with a blend of awe and joy on her face and said, “Grammie! I know that one!”
How many times do I skip over Scripture verses I think I know? I scan them on the page, because they’re so familiar. Routinely familiar, in some ways.
Gracie helped me recapture the joy and awe of landing on each word and turning my face to the Lord to report, “Lord! I know that one!”
PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for Your words. Give me Gracie’s grace to see them for what they are—alive, active, powerful, energizing, life-giving.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12, KJV).
Today’s devotional is by Cynthia Ruchti, writer/producer of THE HEARTBEAT OF THE HOME radio ministry and president of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). She is the author of They Almost Always Come Home (Abingdon Press Fiction) and the soon-to-be-released The Heart’s Harbor in A Door County Christmas novella collection. Cynthia writes stories of hope-that-glows-in-the-dark (www.cynthiaruchti.com).
Cynthia Ruchti tells stories of Hope-that-glows-in-the-dark through her novels and novellas, devotion collections, speaking, teaching, and a history of 33 years as a radio writer/producer. Her books have been recognized by RT Reviewers’ Choice, Retailers’ Choice, Family Fiction Readers’Choice, and other honors. Her novel When the Morning Glory Blooms (Abingdon Press Fiction) releases April 1, 2013. A nonfiction project—Ragged Hope: Surviving the Fallout of Other People’s Choices—releases July 2013 from Abingdon Press Christian Living. www.cynthiaruchti.com
Aren’t grandchildren wonderful! Their joy reminds us of so many things we need to change in our lives – especially your reminder of the joy we should have each time we read a familiar Scripture. Thanks, Cynthia.
Thank you, Cindy, for this sweet illustration and reminder to see every one of God’s words as if it’s the first time. First love.