Scripture:

“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” (John 21:15)

Thought for the day:

Tedd Kidd was five years older than Janet, finished college before her, and started to work in a city hundreds of miles from her. They always seemed to be at different places in their lives, but they had been dating for seven years.

Every Valentine's Day, Tedd proposed to her. Every Valentine's Day Janet would say, "No, not yet."

Finally, when they were both living in Dallas, Texas, Tedd reached the end of his patience. He bought a ring, took Janet to a romantic restaurant, and was prepared to reinforce his proposal with the diamond. Another no would mean he had to get on with his life without her.

After salad, entree, and dessert, it was time. Tedd summoned up his courage. Knowing that Janet had a gift for him, however, he decided to wait. "What did you bring me?" he asked. She handed him a box the size of a book. He opened the package and slowly peeled away the tissue paper. It was a cross-stitch Janet had made that simply said, "Yes."

Yes is the word that God, in his tireless pursuit of the sinner, longs to hear.

As believers, we know the joy of saying “Yes” to God. We know how great a feeling it is to finally accept God’s proposal to spend life together forever. We know the thrill of falling deeper in love with our Lord. Wouldn’t it be great to have a part in helping another to know that same joy?

There are people in our lives who have never had the opportunity to say “yes” to God. Might you commit to ensuring that the people in your lives who are still saying “No, not yet,” to God will have still another opportunity to say “Yes?”

Prayer for the day:

Lord, I know the response, "No, not yet!” all too well. Your love brought me to say “Yes!” to you. Help me to love unconditionally so that another will say “Yes!” as well. Amen.