"Brief Devotions For Busy Lives" by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson: Acts 9:36-37

 February 26

"A disciple named Tabitha lived in the city of Joppa. Her Greek name was Dorcas. She always helped people and gave things to the poor. She became sick and died. Her body was prepared for burial and was laid in an upstairs room." Acts 9:36-37 (GW)

Tabitha, the woman disciple, in today's text can speak to us in many ways. Some can relate to her as a woman, but all can relate to the grief of her friends who were shocked at her sudden loss. Sudden losses are devastating. The believers in the small seaside town of Lydda were so devastated at her unexpected death they sent for Peter who was preaching in nearby Joppa. Tabitha had deeply impacted many by her generosity, love, sacrificial service, and faithfulness or they wouldn't have sent for Peter who was a busy important leader. Acts is clear Tabitha continually did kind things by selflessly helping the needy by making coats, tunics, and other garments for the poor. It is apparent how beloved she was when she died as the room was quickly filled with grieving mourners including those she had helped. When Peter finally arrived, he sent mourners away and knelt down praying for her resurrection while alone with her lifeless body. When Tabitha was brought back to life, the news raced through her small town as all rejoiced and praised God. However, the hero of this event is not Peter but Tabitha. Because of her priceless value, God chose to resurrect and bring back to life this woman disciple and not Peter.

While God uses great preachers like Peter to do miraculous deeds, He also uses even more powerfully those with gifts of generosity, sacrificial love, and kindness like Tabitha. While we might wish we had flashy public gifts like Peter, Acts tells us Tabitha's gifts were just as important as Peter's. Have you ever wished you had gifts different than the ones you have? Most do. Yet Tabitha's story may be trying to show us that what is most important is embracing and using gifts we do have with love, generosity, and faithfulness. Your good deeds matter! God may be trying to tell you though Tabitha that no matter how quietly you may serve God, the truth is that you too are priceless before God!

Prayer: God, Use my gifts for you whether big or small. Amen.

Meditation For The Day: Small is big in God's eyes.

Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Winter Renewal Paperback – November 25, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)