I took my young nephew Mark to a homemade ice cream shop located next to a dairy farm. 

He ordered a single-scoop chocolate ice cream cone. We walked outside to enjoy our treats and watch the cows grazing nearby. Distracted by the animals, Mark tipped his cone and the ice cream plopped to the ground. I watched his heartbroken face as the chocolate melted into the grass.

We hurried back to the ice cream shop to buy another cone, but the owner refused our money. Instead he freely gave us a replacement cone with a double scoop—one chocolate and one strawberry. He gave Mark twice over what he had lost.

Meditating on today’s reading, I realised that God often treats us like that generous man. We hurry to God with our broken dreams, dissolved relationships and shattered hopes. Placing our hurts into his hands, we then can stay close to him through prayer and scripture. 

As we do, we believe that he will replace the losses in our lives with rich blessings. A settling peace, deep joy and renewed confidence will become ours—gifts from a loving and generous God.

Prayer: O God, help us to trust you for blessings that outweigh our losses. Amen