The Wise Woman and the Precious Stone

Grace that Moves the Giver

Nov 17, 2005

Saying For Today: The Grace that moves the giver to give is more precious than all she gives.

A wise woman, while traveling in the mountains, found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler. He was hungry. The wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry man saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did without hesitation. The traveler left glad for his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give security for a lifetime. But, a few days later, he came back and returned the stone to the wise woman. He spoke, “I've been thinking. I know how valuable this stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something more precious. Give me what you have in you that enabled you to give me the stone."

The Grace that moves the giver to give is more precious than all she gives.

Suggestion For Reflection
Do you ever sense an inner urge to give a gift of time, money, or attention to another person? What does that urge feel like? What does it feel like when you follow the urge?

Prayer
Giver of Grace, grace me to give graciously and without thought of return.

OneLife Ministries is a pastoral outreach and nurture ministry of the First United Methodist Church, Fort Meade, FL. For Spiritual Direction, Pastoral Counseling, spiritual formation workshops, Christian meditation retreats, or more information about OneLife, write Rev. Dr. Brian K. Wilcox at briankwilcox@comcast.net.