Burning Question:
What brutally honest comment has a child said to you?
Morning Devotional:
Everything Was Too Small… But Hey, I Tried
Our church’s Vacation Bible School was western-themed this year, and I was asked to help out with the opening skits. Fun, right? Only one problem: I don’t own a single western thing.
So off to the thrift store we went. And, believe it or not, I found a great cowboy hat, real quality, for $15. I looked it up later, and if the internet is to be trusted, I scored a serious deal. One catch: it was a little small. Not really the hat’s fault. I just have a large head, literally.
My wife dug up a vest for me too. Also too small. But I left it unbuttoned and went with it. Add a red handkerchief around my neck and my bright blue tennis shoes (not exactly cowboy attire), and that was my outfit. I didn’t look authentic, but I looked like I tried.
And honestly, that’s what mattered. The kids didn’t care if my shoes didn’t match the theme. They didn’t care if the vest fit or the hat sat too high on my head. They saw someone who showed up, got involved, and wasn’t afraid to look a little silly.
And that made me think—how often do we hesitate to do something for God because we feel underprepared, underqualified, or like we don’t quite “fit the part”? We worry about not having the perfect words, the right look, or enough experience. But what God’s looking for isn’t perfection. He’s looking for people who are willing.
Romans 1:16 says,
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…”
Sometimes living unashamed means stepping up—even when we feel awkward or unqualified. It means putting on the too-small vest, the mismatched shoes, and giving it our all. Because when we show up for God, He shows up through us.
So whatever God’s calling you to do, teach, serve, speak up, invite someone, love someone, don’t let fear or pride hold you back. You might not feel like the perfect fit, but God can still use you perfectly.
Just be willing to try. Even if the hat doesn’t quite fit.
-Ryan
Bible Quiz:
Question: What warrior had bronze armor weighing over 125 pounds?
Answer: Goliath 1 Samuel 17:4-6
Storytime: Hey, this is actually good!