The term “free spirit” fits my son Seth as comfortably as his secondhand, graffiti-splattered jacket and 15-year-old jeans. Now in his early 20s, he truly stands out due to his eclectic style, but he also possesses an incredible work ethic and a heart the size of the Sahara.
Each morning, Seth leaves his one-room apartment and totes his longboard, tools, energy drinks, and lunch to work in one of my old military sea bags. One day as he waited at the bus stop, a homeless man trudged past, carrying all his earthly goods in two plastic garbage bags. Seth surveyed the rips in the bags and promptly proposed a trade. The disbelieving man ambled off happily with a sturdy canvas sea bag in his possession.
“Hey, the guy has needs!” Seth later explained. “I can always get one of those.”
Seth reflexively puts into practice what Jesus talked about in the Sermon on the Mount: giving lavishly “to those who ask,” not storing up treasures for himself “here on earth,” and taking Jesus at His word when He said, “I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear” (Matthew 5:42, 6:19,25). As Jesus said, “Your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!” (Matthew 6:8).
Jesus also reminded us, “If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him” (Matthew 7:11).
My son recently visited me. During our conversation, he mentioned, “Hey, can I get another one of those old sea bags of yours?” Yes—yes he can! It’s just holding stuff I don’t need anyway.
Just as God has lavishly poured out His love and grace on us, may we freely share with others!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 9:27-38
More:
Read Matthew 7:7-11 and see what Jesus said about parents giving good gifts to their children and how God the Father cares for us.
Next:
What things—tangible or intangible—do you cling to? How can you give lavishly to God and others today?
Gary Shultz on July 13, 2016 at 6:37 am
Congratulations Tim, your son understands what the religious people of Jesus day and of many other generations did not. What Christ pounded the Pharisees about – It’s what you believe, not how you behave or look…. Okay we know there are certain standards of decency and modesty that should be in place. God never said about David that he was a man after – perfect behavior, great fashion, and customs, he was a man after God’s own heart. We need to hear this lesson over and over again. What is in the heart will be manifest in the life. It’s not how one looks or what style they live by, that will probably change, it’s what in growing in the heart. You’re a blessed man Tim, thanks.
Gary Shultz on July 13, 2016 at 6:49 am
Kim, sorry I did not see your note from yesterday until this morning. Your picture would not indicate age or health problems; however, I will be remembering you and Sandy, thankfully you are doing better.
hsnpoor on July 13, 2016 at 4:29 pm
Thank you, Gary, both for the well wishes and the compliment! Sandy is having a much more difficult recovery than I am and her illness was a lot more serious and invasive. I hope everyone continues to remember her in prayer as she recovers her strength and her activities of daily living.
Tim Gustafson on July 13, 2016 at 7:36 am
And he continues to bless us, Gary. You should see his little brothers light up when he comes by. Have a blessed day!
kamme on July 13, 2016 at 8:35 am
Tim, I am always blessed to read a personal story from the writer’s life, and was glad to read that your son is a blessing in his own way and a good example to his siblings. The Lord bless you and your family as you strive to live for Him. We all have too many worldly goods which we can share and be a blessing to someone in need.
Tim Gustafson on July 13, 2016 at 10:11 am
I couldn’t agree more, kamme! I so easily focus on what I don’t have, yet it is abundantly evident that I have more than everything I need! God is so good.
Estera Pirosca Escobar on July 13, 2016 at 10:23 am
This is so good and so encouraging! Thank you for sharing, Tim!
Tim Gustafson on July 13, 2016 at 10:27 am
Thanks, Estera. And welcome to the ODJ community!
crossman61 on July 13, 2016 at 10:47 am
Good Story , and inspiring this morning Tim. Your son seems to know that stuff really don’t matter much , people do !! Its easier said than done, to give our stuff away !!
Tim Gustafson on July 13, 2016 at 1:20 pm
Yep, he continues to teach me lessons. And I love his exuberance for the simple things in life. He values people over things.
elegantstarr1 on July 13, 2016 at 10:59 am
Wonderful devotional Tim! After reading it, I did a visual play by play in my mind and it was even more beautiful! At the end, I imagined the guy walking away with his new treasure…a smile on his face the size of the Sahara matching Seth’s heart!
Tim Gustafson on July 13, 2016 at 11:05 am
elegantstarr1 (I LOVE that handle), it brought a smile to my face today to realize this was today’s devotional. I wrote it several months ago, and it was a lot of fun to write. Seth is a constant reminder to me not to judge others based on appearances.
sdwise on July 13, 2016 at 11:03 am
Tim thank you for sharing about your son. It has caused me to consider my nephew. I had been troubled by the way he lives, dresses and the people he befriends in the music industry. After reading your message, I do realize that he does have a good heart. I do continue to pray for his safety and direction in life. He was baptized at the age of 10, but now at 24 he has questioned the existance of God. I believe once you are saved, you are always saved. The question being was he ever saved. I am convienced that only God knows the answer. He often reflects on the many bitter hardships he had growing up. Last month his roomate committed suicide, and now he is at what I call a crisis of faith. Now it is my prayer that God will give him a zeal accorrding to knowledge of how much he is loved by God.
Tim Gustafson on July 13, 2016 at 1:17 pm
I truly do feel your pain, sdwise. I have another son (older than Seth) who does not believe in God. So I took the time to pray just now for your son, and for mine as well. Keep praying!
sdwise on July 13, 2016 at 3:11 pm
Lord we know that you would that none would perish, but that all would have everlasting life. We confess that there have been times that we have not been the best examples of your love, and it has cause some to reject you. While you give each of us free will to accept You, we also believe that You will send others as witnesses to those who do not believe in You. We pray a hedge of protection around Tim’s son, my nephew and those who have lost their way, desperately need you and don’t even know it. We pray that they seek and find the peace that only you can offer. Lord we don’t know how you are going to do this, but we believe it to be your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!
hsnpoor on July 13, 2016 at 4:33 pm
And I join you, sdwise, in this prayer of saving grace for those not-yet believers and those whose faith has faltered.
jim spillane on July 13, 2016 at 11:12 am
Tim – thankx for this important devotional, it contains plenty to reflect on. I particularly liked your reply to kamme and it reminds me of what I was often told as I was growing up and that is “before you think about complaining, think about the abundance of your blessings. It just might change your mind.” Blessings to all that visit here today.
Tim Gustafson on July 13, 2016 at 1:23 pm
Good reminder, Jim. I spent my childhood in a very poor country, yet I still get caught in the trap of believing I “need” things. What I need is God! Intellectually I know that, but my actions don’t always show it. So … thanks for helping me keep my balky, ancient automobile in perspective today. 🙂 My heavenly Father knows what I have need of.
hsnpoor on July 13, 2016 at 4:36 pm
Oh, how I can relate to that! Mine is 21-years old with just under 230,000 miles. It’s a ’95 Infiniti J30 and I love my old Betsy. However, my service manager keeps telling me: “Kim, I know it’s called an Infiniti, but it really won’t last forever”. Well, I guess we’ll just see about that. The engine still purrs and the radio still works. I’m good!
elegantstarr1 on July 13, 2016 at 11:18 am
Good morning Kim! When I went back to read yesterday’s comments, this morning, and saw the picure of your smiling face and read your wonderful comments, I said look at GOD!!! HE is soooo awesome! You were missed and I’m glad you’re back! Praise God!!!
hsnpoor on July 13, 2016 at 4:38 pm
Thank you, elegantstarr!!! I tell you the truth, this site has the best medicine anyone could ever ask for!
godlove on July 13, 2016 at 1:25 pm
Great devotional, Tim, and congratulations for doing a great job raising Seth to who he is today, blessings to him. You are certainly blessed to have a son like that, there is very much for us to learn from Seth. What stands out for me is that he opens his generous heart to EVERYONE, living out Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:47, “If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?” It’s all about giving lavishly not only to our loved ones who are close to us and whom we feel emotionally attached to, but giving to the needy in general, even if they happen to be strangers. Almost like the story of the Good Samaritan, loving our neighbours as we love ourselves and being a good “neighbour” to anyone in need, including those who might not even be expecting it. What better way is there to live out the love of Christ? Thank you, Tim, so much food for thought.
Tim Gustafson on July 13, 2016 at 1:40 pm
Thanks, godlove! And you don’t know how much it means to Leisa and me (his parents) to see his genuinely generous heart after all the rough patches he’s been through. His life shows us God’s grace in ways we could not have imagined.