DECEMBER 2-8, 2009 UCW 21
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Renee Gibbs, Contributing Writer.
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A Precious Gift
by RENEE GIBBS
FACES OF FAITH
Children are a gift from God. They are precious in his sight. Red…
yellow…black…white. The Bible makes it very clear that we are to be
converted and become as little children
or we shall not enter into the king-
dom of heaven. Jesus' answer to the
disciples about who is the greatest in
the kingdom of heaven, caused him
to call a little child unto him and sit
the child in the midst of the disciples.
" Whosoever therefore shall humble
himself as this little child, the same is
greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And
whoso shall receive one such little child
in my name receiveth me. But whoso
shall offend one of these little ones
which believe in me, it were better for
him that a millstone were hanged about
his neck, and that he were drowned in
the depth of the sea." Matt 18:4-6
Shaniya Davis was one of those
precious children that Jesus referred
to. A number of decisions were made for her during the months, weeks
and days leading up to her untimely death. A number of decisions will
be made concerning the consequences of some of those decisions for
many days, weeks and months to come. One thing is certain though —
Shaniya is at peace and she is safe in the arms of God. No more harm
can come to her.
I didn't attend the wake or the funeral service because I was on a
much-needed mini vacation with my husband. However, my thoughts
were with all the people involved — her parents, extended family, class-
mates, teachers, friends and all who knew and
loved her. I'd spoken to my mother (who lives
in Florida) earlier that week and she said that
every time she watched a report about Shaniya,
she cried. Everyone who read or heard some-
thing about this tragedy, reacted in some way.
Everyone's heart ached as they tried to make
sense of it all.
This column focuses on those in the com-
munity who live their faith daily. Its focus is on
those whose accomplishments and service to
others might go unnoticed. It's about those in-
dividuals who don't serve to get the recognition
because their service is from the heart.
Shaniya didn't have many years on this earth
to live her faith but in death she brought together
many people of different races and cultures
across this nation who shared the same feelings.
Her death brought to light all that is wrong in
our world today. However, the biblical meaning of her name (which is
derived from the Hebrew language) sums it up. Shaniya —
"a gracious gift from God."
Thank you Lord, for giving us such a precious gift.
