In my retirement I have taken on the challenge of distributing New Testaments to people I meet.  One day, I visited a friend who wanted me to read to him from the Bible.  After I left, I met three teenage boys.  I offered one of them a New Testament, but he refused. “I don’t need that stuff!” he said.  This was my first effort of giving away one of the New Testaments I had brought with me, so I was disappointed.  Some minutes later I met another boy of about the same age.  He received my gift with a broad smile and said, “Thank you!”  He even gave me a hug.

Later in the afternoon I met two young women from Lithuania, who happened to know my Norwegian language.  They were each happy to get a copy of the New Testament.

These experiences have made me think about the words from Ecclesiastes 11:6: “Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.”

There is always time and opportunity for us to sow the seed of the gospel.  We may have disappointments, but we also will receive great blessings.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for giving us different ways to serve you.  Help us to follow where you lead us.  Amen.