THREE ANGELS BROADCASTING NETWORK DEVOTIONAL
Brother Turley and Sister Pearl.
By Annette Palazola Christian February 5th, 2026
“… Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
Some days we compare our gifts with those of others, and we decide we really don’t have much to offer. Someone else is always better, richer, prettier, smarter—you name it. Then we shove our gifts into a corner, hiding them under shame, intimidation, and fear of comparison, rejection, or failure. I’ve often felt this way, and the truth is that there will always be someone who can offer something better. But no one can give my gifts except me. I may only offer a cup of cold water, but Jesus turns it into fine wine. I learned that early from Brother Turley and Sister Pearl.
Brother Turley was a charming, elderly Black man—an ex-boxer whose worst beatings came from the heavy boot of life. He had an accordion he couldn’t play well, but he played it anyway. He couldn’t sing, either, but he sang anyway—his heart full of joy, offering his praises right out loud. There were others more talented but who were unwilling or apathetic, and Brother Turley’s spirit was so sweet and willing that no one held his musical deficiencies against him. He touched lives, for as he sang water, Jesus made it into wine.
I met Sister Pearl at a tent revival when I was six. Her teeth, gums, and breath left a lot to be desired. Years later she got dentures when she stopped giving her money away to everyone she felt was in need. Every week after church, men and women, young and old, teenagers and babies alike, received a thorough kissing from Sister Pearl. It gained her the secret nickname of Sister Kissy Face among some of the children.
Sister Pearl believed in keeping pure in body, mind, and spirit. If you didn’t do the same for yours, she was ready to help you with a passage from the Good Book and a piping hot dish of vege-burger. At church, she sang the loudest; and if things didn’t suit her, she thought nothing of changing the order of service right from her seat in the congregation.
Sister Pearl adored children, and it appeared that she had never learned to think as an adult. She was childlike in her ideas, and doubly so in her sincerity. That made people wonder if she was “for real,” but 20 years is a long time to pretend. Tiny children loved her. Teens thought her ridiculous. Adults tolerated her. But no one wanted to hurt her. In fact, it was impossible not to love her, and God surely must have. She deserved it.
Sister Pearl was always first to help anyone she believed was in need, and whether they were or not was beside the point. She just couldn’t resist pouring out her loving heart. Her gifts didn’t seem like much, but the hungry were fed, broken hearts were restored, the needy were clothed, pain was soothed, children were loved, teens were encouraged, and more. She offered what seemed like water—plain, simple, refreshing—and Jesus turned it into wine.
Might you have a little gift you’ve been hiding? Then it’s time to bring it out. You’ll know what it is. The Holy Spirit will tell you in your heart. Go ahead, child; hold up that gift you think is clumsily wrapped before Jesus. He sees beauty and strength in it. Hearts will be warmed and lives will be enriched when the glory of Jesus’ love covers that present. Little is much when God is in it, and Jesus will turn your water into wine.
“For His sake: I am but one, but I am one
I cannot do everything, but I can do something
What I can do, I ought to do
What I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do
Lord, what will you have me do?”
A poem by– Helen Keller
Brother Turley and Sister Pearl.
By Annette Palazola Christian February 5th, 2026
“… Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
Some days we compare our gifts with those of others, and we decide we really don’t have much to offer. Someone else is always better, richer, prettier, smarter—you name it. Then we shove our gifts into a corner, hiding them under shame, intimidation, and fear of comparison, rejection, or failure. I’ve often felt this way, and the truth is that there will always be someone who can offer something better. But no one can give my gifts except me. I may only offer a cup of cold water, but Jesus turns it into fine wine. I learned that early from Brother Turley and Sister Pearl.
Brother Turley was a charming, elderly Black man—an ex-boxer whose worst beatings came from the heavy boot of life. He had an accordion he couldn’t play well, but he played it anyway. He couldn’t sing, either, but he sang anyway—his heart full of joy, offering his praises right out loud. There were others more talented but who were unwilling or apathetic, and Brother Turley’s spirit was so sweet and willing that no one held his musical deficiencies against him. He touched lives, for as he sang water, Jesus made it into wine.
I met Sister Pearl at a tent revival when I was six. Her teeth, gums, and breath left a lot to be desired. Years later she got dentures when she stopped giving her money away to everyone she felt was in need. Every week after church, men and women, young and old, teenagers and babies alike, received a thorough kissing from Sister Pearl. It gained her the secret nickname of Sister Kissy Face among some of the children.
Sister Pearl believed in keeping pure in body, mind, and spirit. If you didn’t do the same for yours, she was ready to help you with a passage from the Good Book and a piping hot dish of vege-burger. At church, she sang the loudest; and if things didn’t suit her, she thought nothing of changing the order of service right from her seat in the congregation.
Sister Pearl adored children, and it appeared that she had never learned to think as an adult. She was childlike in her ideas, and doubly so in her sincerity. That made people wonder if she was “for real,” but 20 years is a long time to pretend. Tiny children loved her. Teens thought her ridiculous. Adults tolerated her. But no one wanted to hurt her. In fact, it was impossible not to love her, and God surely must have. She deserved it.
Sister Pearl was always first to help anyone she believed was in need, and whether they were or not was beside the point. She just couldn’t resist pouring out her loving heart. Her gifts didn’t seem like much, but the hungry were fed, broken hearts were restored, the needy were clothed, pain was soothed, children were loved, teens were encouraged, and more. She offered what seemed like water—plain, simple, refreshing—and Jesus turned it into wine.
Might you have a little gift you’ve been hiding? Then it’s time to bring it out. You’ll know what it is. The Holy Spirit will tell you in your heart. Go ahead, child; hold up that gift you think is clumsily wrapped before Jesus. He sees beauty and strength in it. Hearts will be warmed and lives will be enriched when the glory of Jesus’ love covers that present. Little is much when God is in it, and Jesus will turn your water into wine.
“For His sake: I am but one, but I am one
I cannot do everything, but I can do something
What I can do, I ought to do
What I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do
Lord, what will you have me do?”
A poem by– Helen Keller
THREE ANGELS BROADCASTING NETWORK DEVOTIONAL
Brother Turley and Sister Pearl.
By Annette Palazola Christian February 5th, 2026
“… Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
Some days we compare our gifts with those of others, and we decide we really don’t have much to offer. Someone else is always better, richer, prettier, smarter—you name it. Then we shove our gifts into a corner, hiding them under shame, intimidation, and fear of comparison, rejection, or failure. I’ve often felt this way, and the truth is that there will always be someone who can offer something better. But no one can give my gifts except me. I may only offer a cup of cold water, but Jesus turns it into fine wine. I learned that early from Brother Turley and Sister Pearl.
Brother Turley was a charming, elderly Black man—an ex-boxer whose worst beatings came from the heavy boot of life. He had an accordion he couldn’t play well, but he played it anyway. He couldn’t sing, either, but he sang anyway—his heart full of joy, offering his praises right out loud. There were others more talented but who were unwilling or apathetic, and Brother Turley’s spirit was so sweet and willing that no one held his musical deficiencies against him. He touched lives, for as he sang water, Jesus made it into wine.
I met Sister Pearl at a tent revival when I was six. Her teeth, gums, and breath left a lot to be desired. Years later she got dentures when she stopped giving her money away to everyone she felt was in need. Every week after church, men and women, young and old, teenagers and babies alike, received a thorough kissing from Sister Pearl. It gained her the secret nickname of Sister Kissy Face among some of the children.
Sister Pearl believed in keeping pure in body, mind, and spirit. If you didn’t do the same for yours, she was ready to help you with a passage from the Good Book and a piping hot dish of vege-burger. At church, she sang the loudest; and if things didn’t suit her, she thought nothing of changing the order of service right from her seat in the congregation.
Sister Pearl adored children, and it appeared that she had never learned to think as an adult. She was childlike in her ideas, and doubly so in her sincerity. That made people wonder if she was “for real,” but 20 years is a long time to pretend. Tiny children loved her. Teens thought her ridiculous. Adults tolerated her. But no one wanted to hurt her. In fact, it was impossible not to love her, and God surely must have. She deserved it.
Sister Pearl was always first to help anyone she believed was in need, and whether they were or not was beside the point. She just couldn’t resist pouring out her loving heart. Her gifts didn’t seem like much, but the hungry were fed, broken hearts were restored, the needy were clothed, pain was soothed, children were loved, teens were encouraged, and more. She offered what seemed like water—plain, simple, refreshing—and Jesus turned it into wine.
Might you have a little gift you’ve been hiding? Then it’s time to bring it out. You’ll know what it is. The Holy Spirit will tell you in your heart. Go ahead, child; hold up that gift you think is clumsily wrapped before Jesus. He sees beauty and strength in it. Hearts will be warmed and lives will be enriched when the glory of Jesus’ love covers that present. Little is much when God is in it, and Jesus will turn your water into wine.
“For His sake: I am but one, but I am one
I cannot do everything, but I can do something
What I can do, I ought to do
What I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do
Lord, what will you have me do?”
A poem by– Helen Keller
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