Adventure Bible Family Devotions

At her uncle’s farm in Vermont, Helen was helping her cousin collect sap. It was late winter, and the ground was snowy. Helen and Kathryn emptied buckets into a tank, then hung them back up under spouts in the trees. “We’re finished,” Kathryn said. “Let’s head to the sugar shack.”

Helen grinned. “Okay. I’m whipped!” They walked to a small building with steam billowing out of it. Inside, Helen’s uncle was making maple syrup. “So, you’re back,” he said. “Fetch a bucket of clean snow, and I’ll reward you for your labor.” They did as he asked. He poured boiled sap on the snow, making little puddles that hardened.

“What’s that?” Helen asked.

Reaching into the bucket, Kathryn said, “Maple candy! We call it ‘sugar on snow.’ ” She handed Helen a piece.

It was sweet and chewy. “Mmm,” Helen said. “This makes all the work worthwhile.” Her uncle laughed. “Wait I’ll you taste my syrup on your pancakes!” When you live your life for God, doing the good things he wants you to do, he rewards you. His rewards come here on earth and later in heaven. And they’re wonderful! One of the best rewards God gives you is the knowledge that you’ve served him faithfully. That’s a sweet sense of satisfaction.

Bible Verse: The Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do. – Ephesians 6:8

Word to Treasure: Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. – 1 Corinthians 15:58