Take it to the bank

Emma is my daughter. She is seven and she makes my heart sing. She has a wonderful, very happy smile. She doesn't give it up easily but when she decides to turn it on she can light up every face in the room. Her brown curly hair regularly attracts attention, all her life strangers have walked up to her to comment on it. (I remember once telling a mom in Walmart that no, we did not get her a perm, she's only 2!) She can be shy in public but at home she loves to take center stage - singing, dancing, and trying to create as much hoopla and laughter as possible.

She's a great reader and loves attending the Branch Christian Academy. One day this spring I picked Emma up from school to have some daddy/daughter time together. I had to stop by the bank and as often happens Emma attracted the attention of the ladies who worked there. She was kind of shy but seemed to take it in stride.

Emma had her school uniform on, so one of the ladies working in the lobby asked her about school. Emma told her she was working on her memory lesson. "Can you say it to me?" she asked?

Emma nodded shyly and began. Children can be so open, their trust and vulnerability can break down the walls around our grown up hearts. Quietly and steadily Emma repeated "For God so loved the world, He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

For just a second it was very quiet. It was a holy moment, right there in the bank lobby. It was like someone had turned on a light, and suddenly everyone realized how dark it had been.

"That was really good honey" the misty-eyed bank lady told her. Then she gave her a yellow sucker, and we walked up to the teller. That holy moment was gone, but not forgotten.

I've prayed for that lady we saw at the bank that day. I'm not in that branch much anymore and I haven't seen her since then, but I have prayed for her when I remembered that day. I don't know what she decided to do with the Message, but I know she heard the truth.

This message about Jesus is wonderful news. And you can take it to the bank.