Daily Reading: 16 May

(from www.christianaid.org.uk)

What gifts do you have that you can share? 

Something to read

As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, that he may appear in the presence of the Lord, and remain there forever; I will offer him as a nazirite for all time.

- 1 Samuel 1:22 from full reading 1 Samuel 1:20-23.

Something to think about

In this passage, Hannah makes clear her intention to keep the promise she made.

It might seem strange to us – giving back what you had longed for, for so long. The Bible gives us many stories of sacrifice. Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his son in a test of faith.

Maybe we do behave that way – when someone gives you a gift you want to share it with them. To be loved extravagantly results in extravagant generosity from people. 

How can we give something back to God? What gifts do you have that you can share? Perhaps we can be guided by this Bible passage: 

'We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us – and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?

'Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.' 1 John 3:16-18 

When we think of God’s extravagant love for us, can we respond by giving love back to God’s world? How might you share God’s love through your actions?

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Something to pray

God our parent
we praise you
for the blessings you shower upon us.
Bless the lives of our siblings
and their precious children.
In life's saddest moments,
that’s when we feel your love most, O Jesus.
Continue to dwell in our hearts, Lord.
May your love keep us strong.
Amen.