AUGUST 30, 1 Corinthians 12:12-18

“I’ll help with that,” offered Karl when his sisters got out a puzzle. “That’s a cool picture.” He pointed to the cover, which showed three sailboats out at sea. “There sure are a lot of different shapes and colours in this puzzle,” observed Grace as she tipped the box over and the pieces tumbled onto the table. She picked up a piece. “I like the ones with the pretty, sunshiny yellow colour.”

Natasha nodded. “I like the reds and oranges, too,” she said. “I want to work with them. Those dark-coloured pieces aren’t very pretty.” “Maybe not, but if all the pieces were red and orange and yellow, we couldn’t make a picture like the one on the box,” Karl reminded her.

“Just like people,” murmured Mom, who was working nearby. The children looked at her curiously. “I don’t get it,” said Karl. “What’s just like people?” “Puzzle pieces,” said Mom with a smile.

Grace frowned. “Puzzle pieces?” she echoed. “How are they like people?” “They’re all different shapes and colours, but we need them all,” said Mom. “People are different, too. Some are tall, others are short; some are thin and others are heavier; some are quick and others slow. But if we know the Lord, we’re all part of His family. We look different and have
different abilities, but we’re all needed.”

“Even kids are needed, right?” asked Grace. “Yeah. We need you to wash dishes,” teased Karl, “and to be a student in Sunday School! Imagine if everybody were JW teachers - who would there be to teach?”

Natasha laughed. “Or if everybody were preachers, who would there be to listen to them?” she asked. “And who would cook Sunday church lunch for us to eat?” asked Karl. “Food! Trust you to think about that!” teased Grace.

Mom smiled. “Not only is every type of Christian seen in church, we must love and accept other Christians as well” she said.

Thought: Do you wonder what other Christians are not the same as you? They have different likes and styles and personalities? God made all of us different!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is such a precious lesson that I have today that You have placed all types of people in church, and that I must learn to accept all. And where You have placed me in church or outside church, may I faithfully carry out any task You assign to me. This I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.