NOVEMBER 14,  Ephesians 4:32

“It’s not fair!” Shelly continued as she and her mum walked into the supermarket. She complained about a teacher nonstop since Mom picked her up after school. “It’s just not fair! When Mr. Tan said we could have free time to study and I opened my history book, 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 to write 'I will stay in my seat’ fifty times! It’s ridic…” Shelly’s voice stopped in the middle of the word as she spotted Mr. Tan himself at the vegetables counter.

The teacher greeted Shelly 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 had surgery and is still in the hospital.” “I’m so sorry to hear that,” Mom replied. “How is she doing now?” “Much better, but…” Mr. Tan nodded. “Actually, the biggest challenge each day is getting two of my kids to day care and the third to kindergarten,” he said. “Teaching, parenting, and trying to spend as much time as possible with my wife keeps me busy!” After talking for a few more minutes, Mr. Tan turned back to his cart and moved on.

“Now do you know why Mr. Tan scolded you unfairly today?” Mom asked as she and Shelly picked out some vegetables. “He looked very tired and worn out.” “I know. I never thought about a teacher having problems before,” said Shelly. “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 with them.”

“I’ll ask God to help me be nice to Mr. Tan,” Shelly 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: Are you sometimes treated unfairly? Learn to forgive.

Prayer: My heavenly Father, I thank You for today’s verse that teaches me to have patience with others and to be forgiving. All people – parents, teachers, other kids, neighbors – all have problems. Perhaps those who treat me badly have a serious problem I don’t know about, so teach me to have a friendly attitude and to learn forgiveness. In His precious name I pray, Amen.