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The following
story is told in "The Best of Bits and Pieces":
Robert
De Vincenzo, the great Argentine golfer, once won a tournament and,
after receiving the check and smiling for the cameras, he went to the
clubhouse and prepared to leave. Some time later, he walked alone
to his car in the parking lot and was approached by a young woman. She
congratulated him on his victory and then told him that her child was
seriously ill and near death. She did not know how she could pay the
doctor's bills and hospital expenses.
De Vincenzo was touched by her story, and he took out a pen and endorsed
his winning check for payment to the woman. "Make some good days for the
baby," he said as he pressed the check into her hand.
The next week he was having lunch in a country club when a Professional
Golf Association official came to his table. "Some of the boys in the
parking lot last week told me you met a young woman there after you won
that tournament." De Vincenzo nodded.
"Well," said the official, "I have news for you. She's a phony.
She has no sick baby. She's not even married. She fleeced you, my
friend."
"You mean there is no baby who is dying?" said De Vincenzo.
"That's right," said the official.
"That's the best news I've heard all week," De Vincenzo said.
Wow! What a beautiful spirit! I wish I could say that I would have
reacted the same way, but I know that I would not have. I would have
struggled with feelings of resentment. I would have said, "See if I try
to help anyone else again!"
De Vincenzo's attitude is reminiscent of the spirit that God has shown
toward us. Despite mankind taking God's goodness for granted, despite
our repeated failures, God was willing to give not just a token amount,
but the ultimate sacrifice of His Son. He did so, not reluctantly or
with resentment, but willingly and gladly, knowing that while most would
only show disdain for his gift, some would respond in obedience
motivated by faith and love.
"For when we were
still without strength,
in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die;
yet perhaps for a good man someone would
even dare to die. But God demonstrates His
own love toward us, in that while we were
still sinners, Christ died for us."
(Romans 5:6-8)
May the
realization of what God has given
motivate you to respond to him, and to reach
out to others, with the same kind of love.

and a

In Jesus'
name, Amen.

 

This weeks
thought and comments comes from
Thought-for-the-day

a daily
devotional which you can
receive daily online by subscribing at:
join-thought-for-the-day@xc.org
It is created by
Alan Smith,
Boone Church of Christ,
Boone, NC

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