DARLA DAY

ON DISPLAY FOR GOD’S GLORY:
A 30-DAY DEVOTIONAL

Exploring the Unique Perspective of a Mom and Her Special Needs Son

by JENSON and DARLA DAY
Study Questions and Prayer Prompts by Chad Day

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CONTENTS

About the Authors
Introduction
DAY 1: Don’t Dis My Ability
DAY 2: Don’t Dumb It Down
DAY 3: The Right Kind of Fun
DAY 4: A Joy That’s Contagious
DAY 5: On Display for God’s Glory
DAY 6: The Chosen
DAY 7: Who Gives a Care?
DAY 8: Be Different
DAY 9: Who’s Pulling the Strings?
DAY 10: Leave Room for God
DAY 11: Why Me?
DAY 12: He Wants to Use Me?!?
DAY 13: Don’t Be Scared
DAY 14: God is Good, All the Time
DAY 15: This is How I Fight My Battles
DAY 16: More Than Able
DAY 17: Buy One, Help One
DAY 18: Delight in the Lord
DAY 19: Equipped
DAY 20: Please Don’t Stare
DAY 21: Ya Gotta Pray
DAY 22: Boomerang Blessings
DAY 23: Fix Your Eyes
DAY 24: Don’t Take Away Their Blessing
DAY 25: Kindness – Pay it Forward
DAY 26: The Cheerful Heart Project
DAY 27: A Different Kind of Night
DAY 28: You Gotta Have Faith
DAY 29: Count Your Blessings
DAY 30: You Belong
Scripture References
Help Us Spread the Word
Other Resources from the Authors

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Check out these samples from DAY 5 and DAY 9…

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DAY 5: ON DISPLAY FOR GOD’S GLORY

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
–1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

      What does it mean to be “on display?” Imagine a palace or a castle that has beauty beyond words. Don’t we all want to visit and experience such a magnificent place? Or think about someone extremely famous who is well known around the world. We might look up to them. We might aspire to be like them. Or at a minimum, we would love to take a selfie with them! All those things are great, but fame like this in no way can compare to how God displays His masterpieces!
      The Bible teaches us how God can place a person’s disability “on display” and even use their situation for His glory. Sometimes when someone is suffering with an illness, disability, or a long season of hardship, people might assume their situation is a consequence of their sin against God or maybe from sins passed down from their parents. (That’s what Jesus’ disciples thought.)
      Jesus, however, was quick to dispel that theory! Instead, He says it’s for God’s purposes and for His glory. Even in suffering, the works of God are on display for all to see!
      If you think about some of the most inspirational people in the world—people you really admire, you can pretty much bet that they’ve had some hard knocks in their lifetime. If you dig a little deeper into their stories, you will likely see how God has pulled them from multiple pits and brought them to a place of restoration so they can influence the world with their stories.
      God doesn’t waste anything in our lives. He uses the good, the bad, and the ugly to draw people to Himself. He often uses the least likely of His children, too. So, no matter what gift you’ve been given, make sure you’re using it to please God and to lead others to the Lord. You never know, YOU just might be someone who God puts “on display for His glory!”

“As [Jesus] passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.’”
–John 9:1-3 (ESV)

QUESTIONS:

1. What are several examples of items you’ve seen on display? Why do you think people “showcase” these kinds of items?

2. Have you ever felt “on display” for God’s glory? If so, do you think He was glorified? How so?

PRAYER PROMPT:

Pray that God uses your weaknesses for His glory—that His mighty works in you might be on display for all to see.

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DAY 9: WHO’S PULLING THE STRINGS?

“In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.”
–Ephesians 1:11 (NIV)

      You know those days when you try and try to plan something on your own, and you just can’t seem to make it happen? Then, at just the right time, you are placed in the exact location at the exact time, and that very thing happens—and it’s completely out of your control! Let’s just say we know who’s pulling the strings.
      It’s true: God gives good gifts to His children. Not only that, but He even knows the desires of your heart—the things that make you light up with joy.
      One year while planning a summer vacation to California, we knew we were going to be really close to the Google headquarters. Jenson wanted to visit and tour their company. But unfortunately, the only way for that to happen was to know someone who worked there. So, for months and months, I reached out to everyone I could think of that might have a connection to Google. I even messaged Google employees (AKA strangers) on social media to try and become friends with them!
      Unsuccessful at finding a “friend,” a tour of Google was off the table. Anyway, we finally moved on and took our trip. On one of the days when we had planned to visit some National Park, Jenson caught a stomach bug, which altered things a bit. After giving him time to recover, we ended up going to the National Park the next day instead.
      That afternoon, we found ourselves at a crowded restaurant inside the park with not one table available. Hungry and desperate to sit down, we asked another family if they’d mind sharing their table with us. Well, we quickly became friends as we enjoyed some downtime sharing vacation pictures and travel stories. We eventually brought up our desire (and disappointment) about touring Google.
      As it turned out, one of their best friends was an engineer at Google, and all it took was a quick text to get us a tour on the exact day we’d be in the San Francisco area!
      God knew the desires of our hearts. He wanted to give us that special gift. Did He have to? No, but He wanted to. He placed us at that table with that family at that exact time. And He “pulled the strings” in our vacation plans to make everything work out.

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
–Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)

QUESTIONS:

1. Describe a time when it was obvious that you were in the right place at the right time.

2. Has there been a time when you made plans, but the Lord had different plans for you?

PRAYER PROMPT:

Praise God for how well He cares for you, for the joy He brings, and for the good gifts He’s given you (even when plans change).

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