NOVEMBER 7, 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Titus 3:2

As Tat Boon and Tat Seng were studying, their father came to their room. He held up one of his hammers. “I told you boys that if you use my tools you must return them to my toolbox,” Dad said sternly. “I found this down in the kitchen.”

“We’re sorry, Dad,” said Seng quickly. “We won’t leave them out again, will we, Boon?”

“That’s right. You won’t,” growled Dad, “because you are forbidden to use them again!” Boon began to protest that it wasn’t his fault, but Dad didn’t seem to hear as he turned and went out to the garage. Boon glared at Seng. “Why didn’t you tell Dad I wasn’t using those tools?” demanded Boon angrily. “You’re the one who took them and left them outside.”

Seng shrugged. “You use Dad’s tools as much as I do,” he said. “Besides, you saw how angry Dad is! I’m not going to take the blame by myself.” Boon began to raise a clenched fist to punch his brother. But at the back of his mind, he remembered a lesson from a recent camping trip with his Sunday school class. His teacher had knelt down beside their small campfire. “Guys, what happens when I place wood on the fire?” Brother Michael had asked.

“The fire gets bigger,” replied one of the boys as the dry kindling started to burn. “That’s right,” agreed Brother Michael. “What will happen if no more wood is added?”

“The fire will go out,” came the quick response.

“Right again!” Brother Michael nodded. “I want you to remember that in Proverbs 26:21, a fire is compared to a quarrel. If wood is not added to a fire, it goes out. And if angry words or attitudes are not expressed during a quarrel, it dies down. God doesn’t want His children to quarrel. He commands us to be gentle and to love each other.” Boon knew a big fight would erupt if he hit Seng or even continued arguing with him. It had happened many times before. In fact, he could see that Seng was braced for an angry confrontation now. Boon hesitated only a moment. Then he turned and walked away muttering quietly, “This time, I’m going to do what God says I should!”

 Thought: How do you react if you don’t like what someone says or does?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to control myself and to learn how to be gentle and patient when I feel like doing something opposite! This is my prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.