FEBRUARY 7, Matthew 7:12

“Hi, Mom!” called Traci as she came in from school. “Hi, honey,” replied Mom. “Ellie called a few minutes ago and asked if you could go over and play at her house when you got home.” “I don’t want to go there today,” said Traci. “I invited Maggie to come here and play if it’s okay with you. Is it?” “Well, I guess so,” said Mom, “but why don’t you ask Ellie to come, too? You hardly ever have time to play with her lately, and she really misses you. She doesn’t have many friends, you know.”

“But, Mom, you know Ellie can’t do anything much but play simple games,” pleaded Traci. “Maggie and I might want to play some harder ones.”

“I’m sure Ellie would enjoy that,” said Mom. “You know she just likes to be with you.”

“I know,” admitted Traci. She hesitated before adding, “It’s just that she… well, it’s just that the kids at school say she’s not too smart. They’d probably think I’m not, either, if they knew I played with her.” Wanting to change the subject, she added, “Maggie can come, can’t she? She’s going to bring her new doll, and I’m going to play with one of my old ones, Baby Chrissy.”

“You are?” asked Mom. “One of her arms is missing, isn’t it? In fact, didn’t Maggie point that out to you the last time she was here? If she sees you still play with that old doll, won’t she think you’re a little odd?”

“Maggie knows Baby Chrissy is my favourite one, so why would she think I’m odd for playing with her?” asked Traci. “Besides, I don’t care what Maggie thinks. I still like Baby Chrissy best of all my dolls.”

“I see,” murmured Mom. “So it’s all right to enjoy a ‘thing’, even if it doesn’t look so good to some people, but if a person is ‘different’, it’s okay to just ignore her?”

“Mmmm, a person?” asked Traci. Then she blushed. “Oh, you mean Ellie. I… I…” She was quiet for a moment. “Okay, Mom,” she said finally. “I do like Ellie. I’ll ask both Maggie and Ellie to come over.”

Thought: Do you include children who look different or are challenged in some way? God created every person, and He loves them all.

Prayer: Teach me, Heavenly Father, to treat everyone the way I would like to be treated. I may not understand why You made some one way and some another, but all are created in Your image. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.