Advent Devotional – 12.7.2021
LouAnn Shoaff
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
Recently I met up with a family for a visit at a local park. It was a cool overcast day so even though I had a sweater on, I threw on a jacket too. When we first met at the park, one of the teenage girls had on a long sleeve shirt but was also hugging herself to stay warm. I went to her and greeted her with warm words, but it wasn’t until later I realized she needed my warm jacket more than she needed my warm words. Fortunately, her grandmother was there and provided her with a jacket in short time. It wasn’t until later that I thought of my missed opportunity of instinctively showing God’s love by offering her my jacket.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to make the sacrifice of sharing my jacket, I just simply didn’t think of it! Where was my heart? How many other times have I missed a need or an injustice where I should have responded automatically?
Even though I give of my time, talent, and money, most of my actions are planned or thought out beforehand. My desire though is that I will have a change of heart and that I can provide Godly actions that become second nature to me. I know that God is merciful and patient and will not give up on me. I just pray that I can become purer in heart so that I can be a more responsive blessing to others.
Dear God, change me from within and give me a pure heart that will respond instinctively to the needs of your people.