A Gift of Marbles
John 14:15-31
Illustration
by O. Garfield Beckstrand, II

A minister on vacation went to visit a boyhood friend who operated a candy and novelty store. While they were reminiscing, a little boy about six years old came in and asked if the man sold marbles. The owner showed him where the marbles were. The boy asked, "How much, mister?" "Ten cents a dozen," answered the owner. The boy stood there scratching his head for awhile. Finally the owner asked, "What's the matter, son, don't you have ten cents?" "Yes," replied the boy, "but that is all I got." Then the pastor stepped over to the boy and said: "I just happen to have a special marble fund. Here is a dime. Take it and buy the marbles." The boy stood puzzled for a moment, not knowing what he should do. Finally he reached for the dime and said with a burst of joy as he handed it to the clerk, "Gee whiz." Taking the marbles and looking the pastor in the face, he repeated: "Gee whiz," and then ran out the door.

The men laughed about the incident. Soon they saw the boy returning, leading another little boy by the hand. One of the men said, "It looks like he has found a pal and is bringing him in to get another donation from the marble fund." "You can't blame him for that if his friend wants marbles, too!" replied the other man. But both men were mistaken. The two boys stopped at the open store door. The first boy, holding his bag of marbles in one hand, looking up with loving eyes to the giver of the dime, raised his other hand and pointed to the man and turned to his little pal and said: "That's him." And then the boys ran as fast as their little legs would carry them.

Where do we find peace, genuine peace, inner peace, in the midst of life's battles? Look at Jesus Christ. "That's him, folks, that's him." He gives us peace.

CSS Publishing Company, The Word From The Upper Room, by O. Garfield Beckstrand, II