file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db940131.TXT
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          OUR DAILY BREAD                       Monday, January 31, 1994
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          READ:  Matthew 14:1-21

                                 WHEN JESUS GRIEVED

                     [Jesus] was moved with compassion for them,
                               and healed their sick.
                                   --Matthew 14:14

          Many  years  ago, a back-country woman in Florida  received  news
          that her son had been killed in the war.  Shortly thereafter, she
          was seen hoeing in her garden.

          "It  just  isn't fitting," chided a neighbor who thought  it  was
          inappropriate to be gardening instead of grieving.

          "Friend," said Effie Mae, "I know you mean well, but Jim rejoiced
          to see green things growing because it meant that his mother  and
          the  young ones would be eating.  This is his hoe, and  when  I'm
          hoeing  I  can almost feel his big, strong hands under  mine  and
          hear his voice saying, 'That's good, Mom, that's  good.'  Working
          is the only headstone I can give him."

          Jesus  also  suffered the pain of grief when He was told  of  the
          death of John the Baptist, but it didn't deter Him from His work.
          After  a  brief  period  of solitude  (Matt.  14:13),  His  great
          compassion led Him to heal the sick and to feed the multitude  of
          5,000.

          Is  your heart broken today?  Does life seem empty?  Do you  feel
          like giving up?  Hope lies hidden in the Master's  example.  Take
          up whatever duties lie before you.  Dedicate them to God.  Refuse
          the  luxury  of self-pity.  Do something to lift the  burdens  of
          others.  Remember how Jesus handled His sorrow; He'll  strengthen
          you to do the same.

          Author:  Dennis J. De Haan

                     There is a destiny that makes us brothers:
                              None goes his way alone;
                      All that we send into the lives of others
                              Comes back into our own.
                                      --Markham

          THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
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          To ease another's heartache is to forget one's own.  --Lincoln

          THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Exodus 11-13

          
          



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