JANUARY 30, 1 Peter 3:10 

“Ming, Millie, and I taped a radio script for our English project, and it has a Christian message,” said Ruth when she came in from school one day.“We wanted to make it a testimony to all the unsaved kids in our class. Want to hear it?”

Ruth played the tape while Mother finished preparing dinner. As the tape ended, Ruth glanced down the hall and saw her brother Pete go into her room. “What are you doing in my room?” she screamed. As Ruth raced toward her room, Mother frowned, and quickly flipped a different tape into the player, she set it to record. “You pig!” yelled Ruth. There was a thump as she hit her brother, then pounding footsteps as he chased her back into the kitchen. “You do look like a pig, and you act and smell like one, too,” continued Ruth. “Oink! Oink!”

“Oh, poor baby has to play name calling,” Pete sang out. He looked at Mother, wondering why she hadn’t stopped the fight as she usually did. “I can’t stand you!” cried Ruth in disgust. “You belong in the zoo!”

The arguing continued a few more minutes until Dad came in and firmly said, “Enough!” He sent them off to wash their hands before eating dinner. While they were gone, Mother rewound the tape. After they ate, Ruth helped clear the table. “For devotions, may I play my English project tape, Dad?” she asked. “It has a Christian message.”

“Good,” agreed Dad. “I would like to hear it.” Ruth got the player, pushed the “Play” button, and eagerly listened. “You pig! You look like a pig, and you act and smell...” Ruth’s face felt hot as she quickly pressed the “Stop” button. “My tape!” she gasped. “Your radio script is safe on another tape,” Mother assured her, “but let’s hear the rest of this.” “But, Mom,” whined Ruth. She could see that Mother was unyielding. “Dad?” she pleaded. At her parents’ insistence, she again turned on the cassette player. Soon she pressed “Stop” again, feeling very embarrassed. “I said that?” All eyes were on her. “I am sorry.”

“Your rehearsed tape had a good Christian message,”observed Mother, “but what if we could play back all your unrehearsed words and thoughts? How much of it would be a testimony that glorifies God?”

Thought: Would you be more careful if you had to hear yourself over again at the end of the day?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to be more careful with my words. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.