RESPONSIBILITY – DEVOTIONAL
Howdy Friends! Rain pounded the tin barn roof with an eagerness that swallowed almost all sound. Grandpop’s coffee had long gone cold as his interest was focused on repairing torn leather straps on his favorite saddle. He took a sip anyway. “I believe a man could get rich if he was to invent a cup that kept coffee hot.” He tossed the rest in the straw.
He walked to where a steady stream ran down from the roof, caught a cupful, and rinsed the cup. Then looked up to the roof. “That ol’ leak shoulda been fixed long before this, I reckon.” He told the mare he’d brought in, ‘just for the company of it.’ He turned his attention back to the saddle.
After thoughtful examination of the repair needed he told the mare, “This coulda been a big sight easier if I’d fixed it when I first noticed it.” He pulled his hat, scratched his head. “About a year ago.” Then gave a broad grin toward the leaky spot in the roof. “That sure woulda been easier too.”After a long study, “Now things look like that support board is needing to be replaced too, with all the time rain had to cause the rot of it.”
Grandpop tilted the saddle up to get to the underside of the stirrup leather. “Boy howdy, this was just an accident waitin’ ta happen.” He gave it a hard tug. The old tired leather broke lose.
“Well, look here at that!” Grandpop chuckled. “Looks like we were just one unlucky jump or spook away from a situation that wouldn’t of been much fun!” He set to trimming the rotten, frayed leather away and replacing with new.
He worked a good while, until the repair was complete with new leather to his total satisfaction. Then he flipped the saddle to start on the other stirrup strap. “Not much better.” He mumbled.
An hour later both stirrup leathers had been made, “As good as new.”
Then Grandpop walked to the roof leak. And looked toward the mare, “The good Lord blesses us with gifts, and talents.” He gave a soft chuckle. “I reckon He expects us to put them talents to use, for the good of things, and folks.”
He snatched a brush, began brushing the mare, “I reckon to not do so dishonors Him. Least, that’s how I see it.” He looked up at the leak, “And He might even toss a few hints our way every now and then. If I’d have fixed that ol’ roof a while back I wouldn’t have had to replace that lumber too.” He gave the mare a few strokes of the brush. “That’ll teach me another lesson about shirkin’ duties, I reckon. I don’t guess God looks kindly on responsibility shirkers, so he gives us reminders.” He finished brushing the mare, with one eye on the leaky roof.
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Bible Verse – James 4:17 – “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
Bible Verse – Ecclesiastes 11:4 – “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.”
Bible Verse – Ephesians 5:15-16 -“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
Bible Verse – Proverbs 6:6-8 – “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”
Bible Verse – Galatians 6:5 -“For each one should carry their own load.”
Bible Verse – Proverbs 12:24 – “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.”
Bible Verse – Colossians 3:23-24 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Bible Verse – Proverbs 22:29 – “Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.”
Bible Verse – Matthew 25:21 – “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”
Bible Verse – Romans 8:28 -“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Bible Verse — 1 Peter 4:10 – “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
Bible Verse — Romans 12:6 – “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith.”
Bible Verse — Matthew 5:15-16 – “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”
Bible Verse — Ephesians 4:11-12 – “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”
Bible Verse — Ecclesiastes 9:10 – “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”
Bible Verse — Colossians 3:17 -“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Bible Verse – 1 Corinthians 12:4 – “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.”
Bible Verse – James 1:22 – “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
