AUGUST 5

Ecclesiastes 5:1

YOUNG BUT WISE!

“I heard some sad news at the church board meeting last night,” said Joel’s father one morning

“You did?” Joel looked up. “What was it, Dad?”

“It involves a family who moved came to our church for the first time,” Dad told him. “ The Tan family. Last Sunday they attended our church, and on Monday night Elder Sim visited them. They apparently liked what they heard of his message.” Dad paused.

“What’s sad about that?” asked Joel in surprise. “Sounds fine to me!”

“ The sad part is that they couldn’t hear the message very well,” replied Dad. “ Three boys were sitting behind them - talking and laughing during the entire service. The Tans told Elder Sim they felt like going to look for another church.”

“Really? Maybe if...” began Joel, and then he remembered that some newcomers had been sitting in front of him and his friends this past Sunday! He suddenly realized why his dad was telling him about the Tans. He was one of those who had been talking!

“Son, we’ve told you before that it’s not only important to listen for what you can get out of a message, but it is just plain bad manners to disturb those around you!” said Dad. “For the next month, you will sit with Mom and me at every service. If you do sit with your friends again after that, you will sit in front of Mom and me - not behind us.”Joel nodded soberly.“And there’s something else you need to do,” continued Dad. “You need to go to the Tans’ house and apologize to them for making so much noise.”

“Me? By myself ?” protested Joel. “ The other guys were talking, too!” “ They’re not my sons,” said Dad. “You are. You will have to go.”

Joel wanted to argue, but he knew he had done wrong, and he was sorry.He nodded reluctantly.“Maybe they’ll change their minds and decide to come to church again,” he said with a sigh.

Thought: Do you listen quietly during the church service? Wouldn’t it be sad if someone refused to return to your church because of the way you behaved during the service? Be polite to those who are around you. Smile and greet new people. Sit still. Don’t make it difficult for them to listen to the message.
Prayer: Teach me, Heavenly Father, to be wise even though I’m still a child. Teach me to, above all the above, be listening for You to speak to you during a service or JW lesson. is I humbly ask in Jesus’ name – amen.