APRIL 19, Proverbs 17:17 

“Mom, it’s going to be so cool to have Lyn living right across the street!” Kerry exclaimed.“We’re going to be best friends and do everything together. We’re going to sit together on the school bus, and she’s coming to Sunday school with me every week- and pizza is her favorite food, just like mine!”

Mom smiled as she took a pizza out of the oven. “It’s nice that you and Lyn have so much in common,” she said. Kerry nodded. “We’re going to do everything together,” she repeated.

The next day, Kerry came storming into the house. “Lyn isn’t my best friend anymore,” she declared angrily. “I went over to play with her but found out she was off playing tennis with Justine.”

“Be sensible, Kerry,” said Mom. “It’s nice that you two are friends, but you need other friends, too. Justine and Lyn like tennis, and you don’t.”

“I don’t care,”said Kerry stubbornly.“Best friends always stick together!” Mom tried to reason with Kerry, but she stormed off to her bedroom instead.

At dinner that evening, Kerry was surprised to see spaghetti on her parents’ plates, while her own plate contained only pizza left over from the day before. “Where’s my spaghetti?” she asked. “Since pizza is your favorite food, I decided you could have it for every meal,” Mom told her. “Mom says you can have the rest for breakfast tomorrow,” added Dad.

“I don’t want pizza all the time,” Kerry objected. “I like other things, too.”She frowned.“Why are you doing this?”she asked.Mom smiled.“Well, I was hoping it would help you see that variety is a good thing,” she said, “not only in meals but also in friendships. Both you and Lyn should have other friends.”

“Mom’s right,Kerry,”agreed Dad.“Even Jesus didn’t spend all His time with just one person. Your influence for Him will be greater as you show interest in, and love toward, a number of people.”

“I didn’t think about it that way,” Kerry said thoughtfully. “Can I have spaghetti now? And maybe invite Bee Tin over later?”

Mom grinned. “Yes, if you finish all of your spaghetti!”

Thought: Are you jealous if your best friend has other friends? Don’t be.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please teach me that I must love my friends in the right way, and that does not include being jealous about them having other friends! In Jesus’ name I pray – Amen.