MAY 25, 1 Peter 3:8

Mr. Lee’s van was packed full with a group of noisy kids. “Okay, kids,” he said then, “I’m going to ask you to settle down and be quiet for the next few kilometers. The road is under construction here, and driving needs my complete concentration.”

“Your dad says that every week,” Mandy whispered to Beng Seng. “Well, it’s not easy driving through here,” Beng Seng defended his dad. For a while the kids were quiet. Then one of the boys playfully punched another boy, who punched him back. Mr. Lee glanced in the rearview mirror. “Settle down,” he ordered as he put his foot on the brake and began to pull off to the side of the road.

Before Mr. Lee could stop, a book went flying, hitting him on the head. The steering wheel jerked, and the van gave a crazy turn back toward the traffic lane. “Watch out!” someone screamed. Mr. Lee gripped the wheel and managed to stop. “Thank You, Lord,” he breathed. Then he turned and solemnly talked to the children about how important it was for them to sit quietly.

When the group arrived at the church, the kids piled out. Their teacher soon heard all about what had happened. She shook her head. “Driving a vehicle full of boys and girls is a huge responsibility,” said Mrs. Tan. “Mr. Lee accepts it as a ministry—a way to serve God. You can share with him in that ministry.”

“We can?” asked one of the girls. “How?” “By sitting quietly,” said Mrs. Tan. “One of the characteristics a maturing young person needs to develop is self-control. In your situation, that involves talking softly and not fighting or yelling while Mr. Lee is driving. Why not help him in his ministry by encouraging each other to show self-control and be quiet? Will you do that?” Solemnly, many of the kids nodded.

Thought: Do you ride on a school bus? Do your parents or a friend’s parents drive you to different places? How do you act? Are you polite, or do you goof off, fight, or yell?

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you so much for the reminder that we are to be kind and polite—and it includes being polite when I’m riding in a vehicle. I know it’s difficult to drive when kids are noisy, so courteous behavior in a bus or car will require me to exercise self-control and talking quietly. This I ask in the name of Jesus my Lord, amen.