AUGUST 26

Ephesians 4:32

                               ARE YOU KIND?

“It’s not fair!” Siew Ling complained as she and her mother walked into the supermarket. “It’s just not fair! When Mr. Tan said we could have free time to study, I opened my history book, and my pencil fell off my desk. I couldn’t reach it from where I was sitting, so I stood up to get it, and he yelled at me! He didn’t ask why I was standing up or anything - just told me I had to write ‘I will stay in my seat’ fty times! It’s ridic...”Siew Ling’s voice stopped in the middle of the word as she spotted Mr. Tan himself at the produce counter. What a coincidence!

The teacher greeted Siew Ling and her mother and then looked awkwardly at his cart.“I’m not used to planning meals and doing the grocery shopping,” he said, “but my wife is in the hospital for surgery. Actually, the biggest challenge each day is getting two of my kids to the day care center, and the third to kindergarten.” He sighed. “Teaching, parenting, and trying to spend as much time as possible with my wife keeps me busy!”After talking with Siew Ling and her mom for a few minutes, Mr. Tan turned back to his cart and moved on.

“I think you know now why Mr.Tan scolded you unfairly today,”Mom said as she and Siew Ling drove home.“He looked very tired and worn out.” “I know. I never thought about a teacher having problems before,” said Siew Ling. “I guess I shouldn’t have gotten so mad at him, should I?”

Mom smiled. “I’ve had the same kind of experience,” she said gently. “ There have been times when I felt someone acted unfairly toward me. I got upset about it, only to discover later that the person I was angry with was reacting to a serious personal problem. We need to remember that God wants us to be patient and accept other people. We should be kind and help them through their difficulties instead of becoming angry.”

“I’ll ask God to help me be nice to Mr.Tan,”Siew Ling said thoughtfully. “I’m not mad at him anymore.” She grinned at her mother and added, “I’ll try to remember that teachers are people, too.”

Thought: Do people sometimes treat you unfairly? It’s easy to get angry in such a situation, isn’t it? Remember that the Lord tells you to have patience with others and to be forgiving.
Prayer: Thank You Heavenly Father for today’s reminder – that perhaps, others have problems I don’t know about. It is true that if I am friendly, my attitude could help them feel better. So teach me to be more kind, and more forgiving. In Jesus’ name – amen.