Friday, July 16, 2010

Garlic and Diamonds

GARLIC AND DIAMONDS
James 2:1-9
V.1: “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.”

“What’s the first thing you notice when meeting someone?” I ask you, my reader.

Nine year old Jamie said to her brother, Greg, age eight, as they parted company at the public swimming pool, “You passed your swimming test, so you can play in the big pool now. Let me know when you get hungry.”

Greg nodded, heading to the deep end. “See ya later.”

Greg met Timmy in line to go off the high diving board when a new boy got in line next. Greg looked at him, and noticed his bright blue sparkling eyes. His swimming trunks were ripped and dirty. That doesn’t matter, they’ll get clean in the pool, he thought. “How will you go into the pool, Tim?”

“First time, I’ll just jump feet first. I kind of get freaked my first jump, because it seems so far to the water!”

“What’s your name?” Greg turned and asked the new boy.

“Marshall.” He smiled, showing 2 missing front teeth.

“Are you new, Marshall? I never noticed you here before” Greg asked.

“We just moved here from Arizona.”
“I hear your accent now” Greg said. “I’m Greg, and that guy” Greg pointed, “is Tim.”

“Hi. What grade are you guys in?”

“Going to third” Greg replied, puffing out his chest.

“I’m going to second.” Marshall admitted.

“Well, you’ll get used to the high dive after you jump off it a couple times…don’t worry, Marshall. It’s quite a thrill!”

“High dive is my passion.”

“Really?”

Timmy jumped in the pool, feet first, as he said. He sputtered as soon as his head emerged out of the water, and he swam as fast as he could to the pool’s edge.

Timmy and Marshall both watched Greg, who also jumped in feet first.

At the pool’s edge, Greg and Timmy watched Marshall. He walked to the diving board’s end, then turned around. Timmy said, “What’s he going to do?” Marshall raised both his arms out straight, then up.

Greg’s mouth flew open as they watched Marshall execute a perfect reverse dive.

All Greg remembered as they climbed out of the pool was, Marshall has really sparkling blue eyes.”

Take Home Nugget


James 2 is scripture that warns against playing favoritism. Regardless of a person’s social status, whether rich or poor, we’re to respect others. God calls us to demonstrate concern for and have interest in all people.

Heavenly Father, You welcome Your kids into Your kingdom, not because of who we are, but because of who You are. Help us to open our arms in fellowship to everyone, remembering Your love and mercy towards us. Amen.

J.D. Griffith
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)