Left Out - She Said

“Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:1

Listen to Left Out

First I knocked. Then I went from knuckle to fist pounding. “Open up. Let me in!” A shuffle of feet sounded and then laughing.

“No! Go away.”

I didn’t want to go away. I wanted to spend time with my friends not be banned from the fun.

“Come on, please? Open up.”

“No! We voted and you’re out. Beth shoulda been the leader.”

Leaning against the wall, a tear trickled down my cheek. My name had finally rotated around to be the group leader. The announcement wasn’t an hour old before the fly-by friends sold me out for the popular girl. Group leader wasn’t an elected position, rather it rotated so everyone had an opportunity to lead…everyone but me it seemed.

Left out, I snatched up my backpack, pushed open the door and headed down the stairs. It wasn’t fair. It was my time to be the group leader, my time to shine. I just wanted to be something other than invisible, something other than...lonely.

Naaman was an elite guy, commander, highly regarded. He had everything going for him –everything but his health. It didn’t matter how special he was, how many battles he’d won, his leprosy secluded him. He was forced to be alone. And unless he was healed, nothing would change.

Years later I ask the requirements to join a prestigious writers group. When my friends avoided the question, naivety led me to assume the group was full. My friends cheered for me so I practiced my writing—even won a couple of writing contests and hoped a spot would open in the group. But when my pal finally came clean and told my the group said I "wasn't ready," (intrepretation: not good enough), my heart was broken. Not because I wasn't welcomed into the group but that no matter what I did--all the work, all the accomplishment, even the victories, meant nothing. I was still invisible, still left out.

Unlike Naaman, I wasn't secluded due to illness, but I’ve been forced out because I wasn’t "ready yet", not prestigious or clickish enough. Regardless of how hard I banged on the door, I couldn't get in.

Broken, I needed healing - cleansed of the insecurities and fears that made me feel inadequate. So I poured my heart to the Great Physician. He opened up the wounds, cleansed them and when I was ready, He proved my gift was not in being in the spotlight but rather in being a servant. In time He healed me and revealed my special and unique gifts. Eventually I became part of this prestigious group but all it is…is a line on my resume’. After He healed me, I didn't need that group to fill the void. My place was in Him.

When you’re pushed out, ignored and shunned go to Christ for internal healing. He will shore up your skills, bring you peace and acceptance, then show you where you belong.

Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles are friends and co-founders of ChristianDevotions.us. They co-write the popular He Said, She Said devotions and host BlogtalkRadio's Christian Devotions Speak UP! along with Scott McCausey.

And now you can catch them each Friday evening at 7 p.m. on He Said, She Said Radio! (Call in number, 646-929-0706 ). They travel with Christian Devotions Ministries teaching the art of writing devotions at writers conferences across the country. Eddie and Cindy are featured in Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust - A Journey to Financial Dependence.



Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9822065-4-6
Price: $9.95

Conformation of Transformation - She Said

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

Listen to Conformation of Transformation

I prayed for renewal. Down on my knees, car door open, snow falling. My stomach turned as the memories flooded back. I’d barely got the car stopped and the door open before I threw up. I thought I could handle it—being back in the spot I’d been rescued from 25 years earlier. I didn’t think it would affect me. But it did.

A friend had passed away and I rode with the boys 800 miles to pay our respects. I’d forgotten I had no respect in that city. No respect from family and no self-respect either. I’d hidden the hurt, prided myself on forgiveness, and then conveniently forgot the pain.

I’ve been a lot of things in my life. Brave, happy, cowardly but lost never seemed to be verb that applied. Except it did. There came a point when I had to choose between the man I thought loved me and the God whom I knew did love me.

I couldn’t stand in the bars and be a part of a life I knew wasn’t pleasing to Christ. I couldn’t be someone I wasn’t. Raised in the Bible belt, my convictions to God ran deep, so when a drunk walked up to me and asked me to dance, I turned to my husband, shook my head and walked home. Conformation to the world was not for me and the loneliness I felt from that point forward seemed unbearable.

Paul understood what it meant to conform to the world and he knew the ache of going to his knees and asking for renewal. He’d gone from Christian killer to Christ lover in a short amount time. He’d wrestled with pain, sought the forgiveness of a God whose will was grander than he could imagine—a good and perfect will that changed his life and made him new.

I made my decision to walk away. Torn between the judgment of man and the forgiveness of Christ, I packed my kids up and went back to the roots instilled deep in my heart. I cried for renewal, sought out the face of God and found His good and pleasing, perfect will—I found His confirmation of transformation and I was saved.

When your convictions are tested, don’t conform to the world, rather seek His will. You will be transformed and renewed by the forgiving love of the Father.

Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles are friends and co-founders of ChristianDevotions.us. They co-write the popular He Said, She Said devotions and host BlogtalkRadio's Christian Devotions Speak UP! along with Scott McCausey.

And now you can catch them each Friday evening at 7 p.m. on He Said, She Said Radio! (Call in number, 646-929-0706 ). They travel with Christian Devotions Ministries teaching the art of writing devotions at writers conferences across the country. Eddie and Cindy are featured in Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust - A Journey to Financial Dependence.



Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9822065-4-6
Price: $9.95

High Anxiety - She Said

"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." Psalm 94:19

Listen to High Anxiety

"Eight dollars! That's it?" I asked the teller. "But there was plenty of money in the account this morning. What happened? I've not spent it!"

The teller shrugged. "What would you like me to do?

My stomach turned and my face grew warm. I wasn't sure what to do. I only knew the feelings of terror and panic that crept into my mind. This was a place God knew I hated. I'd spent seven years in under the darkness of loneliness and fear when I had nothing--scrapped to feed my boys. This spot, the place where survival kicked in, was a territory I didn't want to visit again...ever! Memories flooded back. Days when eight dollars was the equilivant of $8000.00. I pleaded that God would pull me out of poverty and place me into peace.

Fear squeezed the joy from me and replaced it with guilt and unworthiness. Until today, God had not let the ministry account dip into single digits. He knew my fear. So why today? Why test me today?

My anxiety dragged me to a place of faithlessness instead of faithfulness. The love and joy I'd found in this ministry suddenly dissipated. I was hurt, angry and a little disappointed God would put me in this situation again especially since this was HIS ministry. We were just the tools.

I starred at the last $300 in our savings account then instructed the teller to move it to checking. Walking out of the bank, l leaned against the wall and cried. With over $2000 in bills hovering over the ministry, the small $300 would be gone end-of-day.

God tests us--tries us even pushes occasionally to stretch beyond our immediate knowledge of Him. He invites us through hardships to explore His peace that passes understanding and to claim His promises of consolation, joy and the plan He has to prosper us not harm us. It's not easy and He brought me to my knees kicking and screaming.

"Just trust me," He whispered.

I crawled in the car and headed to the post office. Slipping my key into the box I looked up and cried, "God provide." Twisting the key, I opened the door, an envelope lay tilted to one side. A smile parted my lips and when I opened the letter, a sigh of relief came over me.

God promises when our anxiety is the greatest, trust it to Him, we'll receive consolation and joy. That day, I learned it wasn't about me but did I have a willing heart to learn, to stretch, to see a new side of Christ, and when I said yes, the elation of peace was immeasurable.

When anxiety overwhelms your heart seek the promises of His consolation and joy. There is peace in handing over the worry.

The envelope...contained a check for $300. God matched what we had and we paid the first bill.



Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles are friends and co-founders of ChristianDevotions.us. They co-write the popular He Said, She Said devotions and host BlogtalkRadio's Christian Devotions Speak UP! along with Scott McCausey.

And now you can catch them each Friday evening at 7 p.m. on He Said, She Said Radio! (Call in number, 646-929-0706 ). They travel with Christian Devotions Ministries teaching the art of writing devotions at writers conferences across the country. Eddie and Cindy are featured in Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust - A Journey to Financial Dependence.



Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9822065-4-6
Price: $9.95

Landing in "Grace"-land - She Said

“...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” Romans 3:23


Listen to Landing in "Grace"-land

One, two, three, four, five, six…I count the steps in my head every time I start down them. I started counting steps when the kids were little, after our son took a tumble.

Cameron was six when he fell. He stood at the top of the stairs in his Under-roos and matching Scooby-Doo socks, smiling and laughing. Tim stood behind him and I was at the bottom. I sat my load of laundry on floor and turned just in time to see Cameron’s feet slip. Horror stricken, Tim grabbed at him trying to grasp any part of his tumbling body. I did too, but missed. Cameron flipped twice, somersaulted down the stairs until he hit the wall, smacking his head against the railing.

Unconscious, we scooped him up and rushed him to the ER. The doctor examined him and sent him for x-rays. “You say he fell down the stairs?”

“Missed a step and his feet just flew out from under him. I tried to grab him but was too late.”
“Well, we’ll keep your boy overnight until the swelling goes down, but I think he’ll be fine.”
I miss steps, too, and when I do I feel as though I’ve disappointed God. It seems the harder I try to be what God wants me to be, the more I trip and stumble—the more I feel I’ve let God down. My friend scolded me yesterday, told me there was no way I could let God down.

“You can’t disappoint Him. He loves you too much. It’s like saying your disabled son disappoints you—it just can’t happen.”

I thought about that. A lot. And then I realized he was probably right. We can’t really disappoint God. He loves us too much. He knows we can’t always match up to His perfection. He understands I fall short of His glory. Our weakness and “fallings” are made perfect in Christ. But that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try to steady my steps. The day I quit making the effort, is the day God cries.

“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Yes, we sin and fall short, but there’s no way we can let God down. Not when Christ is lifted up.

When you stumble and fall, remember the place you land is called “grace,” so take His hand and stand in "Grace"-land.

Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles are friends and co-founders of ChristianDevotions.us. They co-write the popular He Said, She Said devotions and host BlogtalkRadio's Christian Devotions Speak UP! along with Scott McCausey.

And now you can catch them each Friday evening at 7 p.m. on He Said, She Said Radio! (Call in number, 646-929-0706 ). They travel with Christian Devotions Ministries teaching the art of writing devotions at writers conferences across the country. Eddie and Cindy are featured in Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust - A Journey to Financial Dependence.

Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9822065-4-6
Price: $9.95

Just Wait - She Said

"When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days." John 11:4-6 (New International Version)

Listen to Just Wait


Suction cups, I wondered.

My son pressed the button in the elevator and the doors opened. "Mom, stop worrying. Sometimes Jesus has suction cups on His feet. That’s what makes Him walk so slow!"

I smiled at the mental picture my son offered. We'd gone through a series of tests to measure my oldest son’s intelligence. Now we waited. I was ready for it to be over. I was ready for the final verdict. If we just had the answer, we could move on with our lives. But a few minutes later we exited the geneticist's office with an appointment for yet another round of tests.

I wondered what was taking God so long.

I’m sure Mary and Martha wondered, too. When Christ heard that his friend Lazarus was sick, he delayed coming. It was if Jesus wanted his friend to die. And yet, I admit. I’ve felt that way at times, too. When I saw the suffering of my father, the way he coughed, the sunken sockets of his eyes, the pallor of his skin and the way it pressed against the cheekbone of his face, I said, “Oh Lord, just take him. Relieve the suffering.”

But He didn’t. Dad lived on. Hanging around. Wasting away. What was the glory in that?
After our final round of tests I learned my son carried a broken X chromosome— the marker for mental retardation. Did my waiting, my impatience help or hurt the process? Would it have prevented Chase’s handicap if they’d diagnosed the problem sooner? Where was the glory in that?

Chase was born broken. As Lazarus was. As I am. As we all are.

Could it be that Christ didn’t rush to save Lazarus because his friend was in no danger of dying? At least, not in the final way we think of death? Now we’re talking real glory.

Regardless of my son’s condition, I love him anyway. Perhaps I love him more because of it. His brokenness reveals God’s grace, for there is not a purer heart than Chases’. When God’s power meets our weakness His glory shines.

Pray for healing? Yes. Hate the disease? Yes. Comfort, care and sit with those you love? Absolutely. Then wait on God. Even when He’s slow to answer, the glory is there. Through our trust He is glorified and we are saved.

Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles are friends and co-founders of ChristianDevotions.us. They co-write the popular He Said, She Said devotions and host BlogtalkRadio's Christian Devotions Speak UP! along with Scott McCausey.

And now you can catch them each Friday evening at 7 p.m. on He Said, She Said Radio! (Call in number, 646-929-0706 ). They travel with Christian Devotions Ministries teaching the art of writing devotions at writers conferences across the country. Eddie and Cindy are featured in Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust - A Journey to Financial Dependence.

Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9822065-4-6
Price: $9.95

Wake Up! -- She Said

“Don't waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It's a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ. Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!” Ephesians 5:11-16 (The Message)

Listen to Wake UP!

He shocked me. “Religion sucks.” Tattooed from head to toe, his appearance sent a jolt of fear through me. But the more I learned of his story, the more inclined I was to agree.

Abused from childhood by his mother, abandoned by his father and shunned by his friends, this child grew into a man who believed in nothing, no one and no wonder. Even members of his church, the ones who really knew his family history, closed their eyes to his needs, choosing instead to call him a pagan and worse.

An elderly woman checked on him, from time to time. Slipped him some food, prayed for him. Thirty years later, he couldn’t recall her name, so he just called her a Christian—the only one he’d ever known.

His shocking appearance and brazen judgment on the church was a wake up call for me. Had I overlooked him, too? In my sincere efforts to serve Christ, had I become so busy with the “goodness” of church that I’d shut my eyes to this man? Was it my fault he became the beast he was? Would a little love have cost that much?

Christ took time for me. He found time for people, not projects. Constantly in demand to teach, heal and feed, He was never too busy to stop and see the real hurt in a person, never too important to see their soul, never too good to humble Himself as a servant.

We see what we want to see, so we focus on the sins of others and not the grace of God. Condemn someone long enough and they’ll think they’re worthless. Correct and forgive and they’ll know love. These are desperate times but we can’t slow the pace of our planet. We can, however, touch the hearts of desperate people.

Wake up! Get up! Act like Christ. Don’t waste your time on useless work. Waste it instead, on hopeless people.

Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles are friends and co-founders of ChristianDevotions.us. They co-write the popular He Said, She Said devotions and host BlogtalkRadio's Christian Devotions Speak UP! along with Scott McCausey.

And now you can catch them each Friday evening at 7 p.m. on He Said, She Said Radio! (Call in number, 646-929-0706 ). They travel with Christian Devotions Ministries teaching the art of writing devotions at writers conferences across the country. Eddie and Cindy are featured in Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust - A Journey to Financial Dependence.

Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9822065-4-6
Price: $9.95

Down in the Hole - She Said

“So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there.” Genesis 39:22

Listen to Down in the Hole - She Said

The kennel door creaked as we pushed it open. A bouncy Golden Retriever puppy straddled my knee and licked my neck—happy to have someone pay attention. This was not a responsibility I wanted. Neither did my veterinarian friend. But we were saddled with the nasty task.

I wrapped my arms around the puppy and pressed his head tight against my chest. He needed to know he was loved, even if was only for a few minutes. I kissed him between the ears.

“Don’t drag this out. It’s hard enough as it is.”

“I know. I know.”

Stilling the rambunctious pup, I wrapped my hand around his foreleg and rolled the vein into view. The vet pulled the pink liquid into the syringe. Slipping the needle into the vein, the pup whined from the prick. He nodded for me to release my grip. Relaxing my fingers, the fluid seeped into the vein. One, two, three beats and lethal drug hit his heart. The pup licked my chin and grew limp in my arms. His heart stopped… his life snuffed out.

In my 15 years of work with a veterinarian, most was joyful. The work was hard and it wasn’t all wagging tails and soppy licks. There was this part too, and the dungeon we looked up from held hundreds of healthy animals sentenced to death because the shelter was overflowing.

Joseph spent his time in the hole as well. Tossed away by his brothers like a piece of trash, he was left to die at the hands of the enemy. He did his time, even caused some trouble and agony, but he did not go unrecognized by God. He was given charge and though he’d done some things he didn’t want to do, he eventually made a difference.

At times, we’re all thrown in the pits - each one suffering a private prison of some sort. Christ accepted the position of Savior knowing His prison would be filled with souls just like mine…souls who needed to be saved and He was willing to feel the prick of death for us. Straight from the right hand of God, He lowered Himself into the pits without hesitation with the intention of saving me.

The daunting task of euthanasia was one of the darkest places I’ve been. I hated it and though I was able to save a few mommas and their babies, it wasn’t enough. Just as I longed to save the puppies, Jesus longs to save us.

Sometimes, like Joseph, we’re taken from the pit and placed in a place of prominence. Other times, like Jesus, we’re taken from prominence into the pit. Either way, it’s what we do with the charge we’ve been given. Joseph changed lives…Jesus changed the world.

If you’re in a hole and life looks impossible, if the needle of death is pricking your heart, let Christ take hold. He will free you from the prison that holds you. Won’t you let Him?

**On a side note…Millions of animals are euthanized yearly because of irresponsible owners. Spay and neuter your pets, tag them with identification, keep them safe at home and don’t let them roam hostile streets. Support your local animal shelters and Veterinary offices in their efforts to curb cruelty, abuse and senseless euthanasia. Until you hold the animal that receives the lethal injection, you’ll never understand the ache. Be a responsible pet owner.

Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles are friends and co-founders of ChristianDevotions.us. They co-write the popular He Said, She Said devotions and host BlogtalkRadio's Christian Devotions Speak UP! along with Scott McCausey.

And now you can catch them each Friday evening at 7 p.m. on He Said, She Said Radio! (Call in number, 646-929-0706 ). They travel with Christian Devotions Ministries teaching the art of writing devotions at writers conferences across the country. Eddie and Cindy are featured in Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust - A Journey to Financial Dependence.

Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9822065-4-6
Price: $9.95

I Forgot - She Said

“Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.” Psalm 103:2-5

Listen to I Forgot - She Said

My son stood, hands clasping his cheeks, mouth open. He’d forgotten again. The kid was notorious for leaving something at home. One day it was homework, the next a book—always something.

We’d just pulled up to the front of the school when he realized he’d left his saxophone at home. He climbed out of the car and headed up the sidewalk, expecting me to run back home and bail him out… again. But no more. He’d forgotten for the last time. It was time he learned to remember the benefits of keeping up with things.

I forget a lot, too. I don’t mean to, but I do. I forget the discernment God gives me when there are important decisions looming. I forget to say thanks for a friend who’s health has been restored. I forget that I wouldn’t be where I am today if God hadn’t bailed me out of a bad marriage or helped me deal with my son’s disability. I forget, too.

But God never forgets.

He remembers what is important and forgets the sins we confess. He wipes away the memory of my mistakes and loves me anyway. I don’t deserve it, but He does. He’s just that way.
I didn’t go back to the house and my son received a failing grade because of his forgetfulness. But eventually he did learn the importance of remembering.

So have I. These days I don’t just pray, I write my prayers because it prevents me from forgetting the benefits of His faithfulness and how immense His forgiveness is. It reminds me to praise Him continually for the vastness of His love.

It’s never too early to forgive others and never too late to remember his goodness. When you start your day…remember his promises of protection. When the clock strikes noon…remember his promises of provision. When you crawl into bed… remember his promises of love.

And when you think of that person who’s disappointed, offended or hurt you, forget it. As His children, we have more important things to remember.

Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles are friends and co-founders of ChristianDevotions.us. They co-write the popular He Said, She Said devotions and host BlogtalkRadio's Christian Devotions Speak UP! along with Marianne Jordan.

And now you can catch them each Friday evening at 7 p.m. on He Said, She Said Radio! (Call in number, 646-929-0706 ). They travel with Christian Devotions Ministries teaching the art of writing devotions at writers conferences across the country. Eddie and Cindy are featured in Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust - A Journey to Financial Dependence.

Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9822065-4-6
Price: $9.95

Payoff - Cindy Sproles

“If many years remain, he must pay for his redemption a larger share of the price paid for him.” Leviticus 25:51

December 24, 1989 our bombshell hit. We’d fallen victim to HMO insurance. My husband’s employer had made the jump from traditional insurance to the new HMO earlier in the year. It sounded great and, for the most part, it probably was. Go to the doctor, pay your co-pay and the remainder was paid by insurance. So we thought.

Our son was undergoing a battery of testing to define his disability and for months we made repeated trips to the geneticist, paying our co-pay and any outside costs. So, when I opened the letter from the insurance company that day in December, the bomb blew.

“The charges for genetic testing are not covered under the HMO plan. Heritage has paid the costs to physicians but the member is responsible for repayment of funds paid in your behalf. The sum of $140,876.00 is due and payable within ten days.”
I couldn’t imagine $140K, much less pay it. I panicked, splitting the amount between our charge cards and savings. That mistake followed us for the next twenty years.

Through the years, the verses of Leviticus reminded me of the price we were paying to be freed from the slavery of debt—debt that we could have handled better. My mistake cost us twice the amount we owed.

One disaster followed another as we tried to dig from beneath the debt. At my wits end, I fell to my knees and asked God, “What more do you want from me?”

His reply: “Let me handle it.”

That’s our problem. We assume we can manage on our own. Trusting God to keep His promises of provision seems impossible at times. The price for our redemption is twice the cost, not only through our mistakes but through the life of Jesus who paid the cost.

Once I’d conceded the needs of my family to God, He provided. December 24, 2009, twenty years later, we paid off the last of the debt. Ironic, it was twenty years to the day. The payoff wasn't instant, nor was it cheap. There were times when things were tough, but God always provided - and He provided in HIS time. He is a God of His word and He always provides what is best for us when we believe.

What price have you paid to redeem yourself from financial mistakes? Lift your needs to the Father and let Him take control.

Cindy Sproles, along with Eddie Jones, are co-founders and co-writers of ChristianDevotions.us. She co-writes the popular He Said, She Said devotions with Jones and they co-host the He Said, She Said Radio show.
She is a graduate of the University of Phoenix and her devotions appear weekly in papers across the eastern United States. Cindy is the editor of Christian Devotions and serves as a co-host on Christian Devotions Speak UP with Marianne Jordan. She is a popular speaker for women's retreats and conferences and also travels with Eddie Jones representing Christian Devotions and teaching at writer’s conferences across the country.

Cindy is a featured writer in Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust, A Journey to Financial Dependence.

Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9822065-4-6
Price: $9.95

A Little Goes a Long Way - She Said

"Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to."
Deuteronomy 15:10

Listen to A Little Goes a Long Way

She looked pale, her eyes sunken but her smile was unfailing. The perky college sophomore bounced into the church sanctuary, waving toward us. She was a petite girl, but that day, she looked especially thin.

“How are you sweetie?”

“Great! Can’t complain.” She wrapped her bony arms around my neck and hugged.

“You feel way to skinny, girl. Aren’t you eating?”

Her smile faded. “I can’t lie. I’m strapped. With my brother being sick, mom losing her job and me being in college, I’ve been trying to take up the slack. Been eating crackers, mostly.”

The 20-year-old, full-time college student cared for two families on her full-time, minimum wage salary. The child was starving. She’d sacrificed her own needs to give to her family.

We weren’t in a great financial spot ourselves. Our own son’s medical needs had left us literally saving pennies in a jar. But the day before, we’d taken $100 from the jar to buy our groceries, with our spare change for our empty cupboards.

Slipping my hand into my purse I pulled out the $100 bill and pressed it into her palm. “Take this and buy groceries.”

A tear dripped off her cheek.

Giving is hard at times. Especially when our needs appear to outweigh the needs of others. But how do we know, really? All we know for certain is that God instructs us to give to the poor, to those in need, without hesitation, without strings, but with a generous heart.

Two years later, I saw that girl again. Newly married, she and her husband now held good jobs. She wasn’t wealthy, but she wasn’t starving, either. Pulling out her checkbook she scribbled a check for $400.

“Here,” she said, handing me the check. “This is your money back, plus interest.”

“Not my money. God’s. And it wasn’t a loan. It was a gift. I can’t take it.”

Her faced dropped. “Then what can I do for you?”

“It’s enough to know you’re happy and successful. Now, if you really want to do something for us, give that money to four students who, now, are like you were, then.”

A week later she sent a list of students she’d helped. Later we found our friend had requested the same thing of the students she’d given money to, that they give to someone else, as well. Long before the movie, God had already introduced the concept of Pay It Forward. All we did was obey and honor His word. Now, fifteen years later, the Starving Student Award continues to be awarded to a select group of students at East Tennessee State University.

God blesses those who give wholeheartedly. Do you see a need that should be met? Make a difference and give generously. A little given without hesitation goes a long way.

P.S. On a side note, our agent at Hartline worked in Haiti for a number of years. Obviously, her heart goes out to the people of that island whom she still knows and loves. If you wish to contribute, she’s pulling together a care package to send to those she can help on the island. You can mail your checks to: Diana Flegal, Hartline Literary Agency, 703 Vanderbilt Drive, Monroeville, Pa 15146.

Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles are friends and co-founders of ChristianDevotions.us. They co-write the popular He Said, She Said devotions and host BlogtalkRadio's Christian Devotions Speak UP! along with Marianne Jordan.

And now you can catch them each Friday evening at 7 p.m. on He Said, She Said Radio! (Call in number, 646-929-0706 ). They travel with Christian Devotions Ministries teaching the art of writing devotions at writers conferences across the country. Eddie and Cindy are featured in Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust - A Journey to Financial Dependence.

Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9822065-4-6
Price: $9.95

Jump - She Said

"And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." Romans 8:30

Listen to Jump

Cindy K. Hink. That was her name. She kept me company through a lonely childhood. When there was no one else to climb trees with or jump rope, Cindy gave me great stories and adventures through the wooded acre behind our house. When I was snuggled in the little cave below the giant oak tree, she eventually showed. Cindy lived in the confines of a very active imagination and when no one else seemed to care, it was her who said, “Talk to God.”

So I did—squished inside the roots of the old Oak tree, I asked, “God, do ya wanna play?” And Cindy K. Hink whispered, “He said yes.”

As I grew, Cindy K. Hink faded into my memory but I never forgot her voice. When I found myself standing alone, peers shunning me, I could have sworn I heard her say, “He’s speaking. Listen.” But I was too busy fighting the demons to hear.

My life swirled out of control at times, and I wondered why God, who was supposed to love me, ignored me. But the voice reminded me, “Come.” I remained faithful and developed a prayer life and when I realized the voice wasn’t a childhood fantasy …I ran from it.

I worked a job, kept up the ministry of Christian Devotions, managed my family, worked at church, volunteered, counseled, and wrote until my health began to fail. Yet God kept calling. God, I’m doing what you ask. I’m serving you, I thought.

And He said, “You’re doing busy work. Come.” My life became so intense I couldn’t rest. Health issues grew, tests, trials, until then I fell to my knees. Okay. Here I am. What would you have me do?

“Work for me. The earthly pay isn’t great but the greater good is something to behold. It won’t be easy. You’ll sacrifice your comfortable place, but there is greater peace within me. Work for me.”

I said yes a few weeks ago. Turned in for my retirement. Opened the door from comfort, stepped into a free-fall and the ground didn’t rush up to meet me. Instead, the arms of angels took hold. I’ve never soared before, not until the other day. And what a rush! Now I know my imaginary childhood friend was really an angel in disguise readying me for God’s work—constantly whispering.

God calls us all as Christians into His service. It’s not a one-sided relationship. It’s not a free ride. It’s work, but when He calls, it’s up to us to listen. Is God calling you for a task? Listen. Go for the adventure. Say yes and jump!

Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles are friends and co-founders of ChristianDevotions.us. They co-write the popular He Said, She Said devotions and host BlogtalkRadio's Christian Devotions Speak UP! along with Marianne Jordan.

And now you can catch them each Friday evening at 7 p.m. on He Said, She Said Radio! (Call in number, 646-929-0706 ). They travel with Christian Devotions Ministries teaching the art of writing devotions at writers conferences across the country. Eddie and Cindy are featured in Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust - A Journey to Financial Dependence.

Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9822065-4-6
Price: $9.95