SEPTEMBER 29, 1 Peter 3:17

Mandy marched into the house and headed for the kitchen where Mom was preparing dinner. “I’m never going back to school again!” she announced, slamming her books on the table. “I hate it there! Some of the kids were acting up and misbehaving today, and they wanted me to join them. When I wouldn’t, they chanted, ‘Chicken! Chicken! Mandy is a chicken!’ They make me so mad.”

“Hmmm,” murmured Mom as she got out a pan and opened a can of food. “Why, look at this!” she exclaimed. “The label on this can says ‘green beans,’ but there are peaches inside.”

“Oh, good! I like peaches better than green beans,” said Mandy with a grin. Then she remembered her problem. “But what am I going to do about being called ‘chicken’ at school? Words do hurt sometimes, Mom,” said Mandy.

“Yes, they can hurt a person’s feelings,” replied Mom. “What do the other kids mean when they call you ‘chicken’?”

“That I’m scared. Chickens scare easily, I guess,” replied Mandy. She looked thoughtful.

“Hey, you know what? I think some of those kids are the real chickens,” Mandy said. “They’re afraid they’ll be laughed at if they stand up for what’s right.”

“Well, I’m glad you weren’t afraid to do that,” said Mom. “You’re not a ‘chicken’. You weren’t scared to do the right thing in spite of what the crowd did or said.”

“I knew I had to do what was right,” agreed Mandy.
Mom picked up the can of peaches. “No matter what label was put on this can, these are still peaches, and that’s what counts,” she said. “And Mandy, it’s what you really are that counts, not what you’re called. The next time this happens, you can say, ‘No, I’m not a ‘chicken’. I’m a Christian, and I’m not scared to act like one.”

Thought: I must stay true to Christ.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, even if I’m called names because I would not do something that is wrong. Teach me not to be afraid. Help me to be faithful to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.