The Pack of Nails
Posted by Dion Todd June 1st, 2021 5,657 Views 0 Comments
You shall remember all the way which Yahweh your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, to test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. Deuteronomy 8:2 WEB.
It was summertime. An elder at our church had a leaky spot on his roof, and I was helping him repair it. My dad was a life-long carpenter, and I got to work with him a good bit. So for a while, I became the go-to handyman at our local church. A soft spot had developed on the elder's roof, so we had to replace the plywood and shingles in that area.
He was a hard-working man in his mid-seventies who had worked at the local grocery store for about thirty years. When noon came, we went to the hardware store for more supplies. A neighbor's boy who was about four years old rode along with us in the truck.
While we gathered what we needed, the little boy imitated us and picked up his own tiny pack of nails. We paid the bill, got some lunch, and drove back to the house. We hadn't noticed that the neighbor's boy had walked out of the hardware store with his own pack of nails, but no one had paid for them.
When we arrived back at the house, the elder saw the pack of nails in the little boy's hand, and in a near panic, said, "Oh God, we didn't pay for those!" So we jumped back in his truck and hurriedly drove the five miles back to the hardware store to return that fifty-cent pack of nails.
I was impressed with his integrity, for it was a hot day, and we still had a lot to do on the roof. I wasn't sure that I would have done the same, at least that quickly. It wasn't even the nails that worried him. After walking with the Lord for decades, he recognized immediately that his character was being tested. He wouldn't compromise his integrity over a small pack of nails.
One night at church, everyone was praying for the Pastor's wife, who was suffering from stomach cancer. When this grocer reached out to pray for her, something that looked like static electricity shot out of his hands and into her body. She was instantly healed, and the cancer left her body and never returned. He was a simple, honest man with great faith. James told us: "The effective, earnest prayer of a righteous man is powerfully effective" (James 5:16).
God will use little tests like this to prove your character or faithfulness. He who can be trusted with a little can also be trusted with a lot (Luke 16:10). Often in life, you will be tested to see what you are really made of, like someone giving you too much change back at the cash register. When this happens, don't trade your integrity for a short-term gain. Turn the test into a testimony, and don't fall for the trap. For who you are when no one is looking is who you really are.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for bringing me this far. Please give me the grace to get through this day and to walk in integrity. Fill me with Your Spirit and guide my steps. Help me make the right decisions. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Note: For those participating in the Creation Photography weekly themes, here is this week's challenge from group leader, Dianna Wyles: Psalm 25:7 "Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good." ~ 'Days Gone By' or 'Memory Makers' will be the next fun theme as a celebration of Memorial Day. As always, is wide open for some creative interpretation Do you know anyone that has ever served in the armed forces that you would like to share with us? How do you celebrate days gone by and/ or create new memories to celebrate? Inquiring minds want to know :). As always, we encourage you to post anything else that inspires you as well. My photos this week reflect some beautiful memories. Wishing you all a blessed and safe Memorial day as well as a wonderful week! Here is the link: Creation Photographers
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