May 4, Colossians 3:13

Isabella felt her face burn with embarrassment and anger. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Kok Wan and Amos looking at her and laughing. “All those freckles,” she heard Amos whisper, and then they laughed again.

“Amos! Kok Wan!” Mrs. Tan spoke sternly. “Settle down!”

At recess time, Isabella didn’t feel like talking or playing with her friends. She found a quiet spot in the school garden and plopped down by herself at the bench. “I hate my stupid freckles,” she thought as she watched a butterfly fluttering nearby. “Or maybe I just hate Amos and Kok Wan. I wish I could go home.”

Isabella saw her teacher approaching. “Mind if I join you?” Mrs. Tan asked. “It’s such a lovely cool day, I just had to come out, too.” Isabella tried to smile as Mrs. Tan sat down. Then Mrs. Tan spoke again. “Isn’t that butterfly beautiful, Isabella?” she asked. Without waiting for an answer, she continued. “God made butterfly wings very delicate, and He made them in a special way so water doesn’t soak into them. It just sits on top. If the water soaked in, the wings would get so heavy that the butterfly wouldn’t be free to fly.”

“Our hearts and spirits are like that, too,” continued Mrs. Tan. “If we let hurt soak in, heaviness weighs us down and we can’t be happy and free. So God gives us the ability to forgive. When we forgive, it’s like our hearts have a special coating that won’t let the hurt soak in.” Isabella looked at her teacher. She knew Mrs. Tan must have heard what Kok Wan and Amos said.

Isabella’s eyes turned back to the butterfly as it danced around their heads. She was struck with the beauty and joy of its freedom. “Thanks, Mrs. Tan,” said Isabella at last. She stood. “If it’s okay with you, I think I’ll play with my friends now.” Mrs. Tan smiled and nodded. As Isabella ran to the swings, she passed Kok Wan and Amos. “Great job on your drawings in art today,” she called to them. They looked at her in surprise. She smiled and felt free as a butterfly.

Thought: Has someone hurt your feelings? Have you allowed the hurt to soak in and weigh you down? God wants you to forgive others as He has forgiven you.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for today’s reminder that I must forgive. Help me to remember how much God forgave me for all my sins. And when I do, it’d be easier to forgive and instead of dwelling on my hurt, I can enjoy God’s goodness, blessings, and freedom! In Jesus’ name. Amen.