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“Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”  2 Samuel 9:7  (NIV)

Position, power, fame, royalty – all arenas of notoriety.  Ever wonder what happens when a person is removed from one or all?  Mephibosheth was.  Jonathan and David were very good friends – so much so that Jonathan paved the way for David to become king by sacrificing his life.  As a result, Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth was instantly stripped of his royal position, power, and fame.  For years he lived as a commoner – crippled through an accident trying to flee threats on his life.

Years later King David requested Mephibosheth to come before him.  Frightened for his life, Mephibosheth never anticipated King David would restore to a cripple like him everything he had lost, plus reposition him at his royal table. Why did David do this?  Because many years before he had made a commitment with Jonathan never forgetting his monumental sacrifice.   Any great leader never forgets what and whom it took to provide opportunities for advancement.   Leaders why not be like David by responding with kindness and keeping your word.   Others will view a better supervisor, co-worker, mother, friend, and most of all a better person.  Our actions will speak louder than words.

Dear Father, please help me to lead with kindness and consideration remembering those who paved a way for me to serve in leadership.

For His Glory

Patsy Sanders
TRBC Coffee Break

“He took one of the seedlings of the land and put it in fertile soil. He planted it like a willow by abundant water, and it sprouted and became a low, spreading vine. Its branches turned toward him, but its roots remained under it. So it became a vine and produced branches and put out leafy boughs.”  Ezekiel 17:5-6 (NIV)

Last summer, I planted some tomatoes in very rich, good soil. Every afternoon I worked in my garden pulling weeds, watering them, trimming them, and fertilizing them. In just a few weeks, my tomato plants grew really tall. One day there was a storm and the hard wind knocked all my tomato plants down. I was so disappointed. The next day, I went to my garden to clean up the mess, and to my surprise all my tomato plants had survived. In fact, the tall tomato plants grew like ground cover. It wasn’t long before I was harvesting my tomatoes like picking up strawberries.

Because I took good care of my plants, they survived the storm. The roots had become so strong that no matter how big the storm was, the plants were still able to bear fruit for me and my neighbors to enjoy. The same is true in our spiritual lives. When we have strong roots grounded in the Word of God, we can weather the storms in our lives no matter how big they are.  Amazingly, we will survive and thrive as we bless others – like ground cover, the goodness of God will spread to all who hear.

“Lord, thank You for Your words that help us to have undisturbed calm even in the midst of trials and still bear fruit for others to enjoy.”

For His Glory

Linda Maedjaja
TRBC Coffee Break