Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21 (NIV) – “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps.”

Message: This verse reminds us that we are to be like Jesus.  We are called to do good.  That’s Peter’s charge.  That sounds easy enough, but putting it into practice is often a daily challenge.

I know someone who practices walking in Christ’s footsteps every day.  Her name is Tanya and she is my Peter.  It is who she is.  She doesn’t work at it because it would never enter her mind that it was work.  She does what Peter has called her to do.  It is who she is.

We have been friends in business and personally for more than 40 years.  Her life – business and personal – IS NOT EASY.  I know, but YOU would never know.  She focuses on others – almost exclusively.  She volunteers at her church, runs her business (a challenge in this environment where service comes way down the list after cost), loves her children and faces struggles at home with grace beyond measure.  She supports people and causes, emotionally and monetarily, and smiles, all the while looking for what more she can do.

She does things for others, large and small.  For me, I know I’ll get a brand-new box of red pens for my birthday.  I have only used red ink for decades (and yes, you CAN sign legal documents in red ink).  It’s only a box of pens (red) to someone else, but to me I know that Peter is right here near me showing me in that box of pens that I can do better and more.

Prayer: Dear God, open our eyes to see the Peter’s in our midst and open our hearts to be more like them.  Amen.

Kim Showalter