A Devotion May Be Someone's Only Bible

View Blog Entry

You're the Berries

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, "The Lord is great!"  Psalms 126:2-3 NIV

Photo courtesy of pixabay.“You’re the berries.” The words made me smile.

I met her in college and wished I could be her friend. She was always filled with joy and happiness. Her sense of humor was . . . well . . . great. Her laugh, infectious.

It wasn’t until we were both married and returned to Johnson Bible College that I finally met Lisa face to face. I was sitting on the front steps of Johnson Hall, watching the sun rise. She walked out the door on her way to work. I smiled. She smiled.

“Can I watch too?” she asked. I patted the step and she joined me. “You’re the berries.”

From that day forward, we were fast friends. We found laughter and joy in everything. Lisa taught me that when I allowed God to fill me fully, others couldn’t help but see the joy of the Lord within me.

When the time came for us to leave college with our husbands, my heart ached. The day we moved, Lisa gave me a picture she’d drawn. Berries. “Just remember, to me, you are the berries, and to God you are ALWAYS the berries.” A tear dripped from her cheek and smeared the picture.

Two years later, I received a call, Lisa was dead. It was . . . a great loss. I looked at the picture Lisa had drawn and remembered, “You’re always the berries to me.” The joy of the Lord still spoke through her drawing.

God is a loving God. The Israelites knew the faithfulness and joy found in seeking after Him. They lived in the shadow of God’s provision and love, receiving abundance in everything when they were obedient. Other nations saw the joy and power of a great God who provided and loved His people. They couldn’t help but see it.

Sometimes our biggest losses become our greatest blessings. Lisa’s loss was deep, but the memories of joy and laughter are one of the greatest gifts God could have given me. Thirty plus years later, I still miss her.

What made Lisa so infectious? Her immense love for God. She was joyful, even when things were difficult. You couldn’t help but see God in her. These days, I make it a point to tell those I love, those who bring me joy and laughter, that they are the berries. Hopefully they see that same love and joy of God in me.

Let your joy be abundant. Allow others to see Christ in you. You’ll find, when you do, that “you are always the berries” to Christ.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)


Share This Blog:



Cindy Sproles

Cindy K. Sproles is a best-selling, award-winning author. She is a speaker and a conference teacher who teaches nationwide. Cindy is the cofounder of Christian Devotions Ministries, www.christiandevotions.us, and www.inspireafire.com. She serves as a writing mentor with WRAMS (Writing Write Author Mentoring Service) and is the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. Visit Cindy at www.cindysproles.com.


Comments

  1. What poignant reminder of how special we are to God!