FEBRUARY 5 ,1 Corinthians 13:4

Judy put her hands over her ears and intently read the bulletin on her lap. She did not want to hear her friend, Laura, play the piano solo. After church everyone would talk about how Laura had mastered the piano, and Judy did not want to hear that either. She was jealous. That was all there was to it! She wished she could play in church.

That week, the annual all-school track meet was held at Judy’s school. All the classes were competing in running events, and Judy had been chosen to run the cross-country race. She had always been the fastest runner in her class, and she waited confidently on the sidelines.

“Are you running the last event?” Hearing the question, Judy turned to see Laura standing next to her. “Probably,” muttered Judy. “I wish I could run as fast as you do,” said Laura. She sighed. “I probably wouldn’t even beat a turtle.”

Judy looked at Laura in surprise. After a moment, she laughed. “That’s funny,” she said. “I always wish I could play the piano as well as you do, and at the same time you wish you could run as fast as me.”

Laura grinned. “I guess we’re both pretty silly.” “I even tried not to listen to you play last Sunday,” confessed Judy, “but I heard you anyway. You did a great job.”

“Thanks,” said Laura, just as Judy’s teacher came to get her for the next race. “Hope you win your race.”

When Judy got home that afternoon, she told her mother about her conversation with Laura. Mother smiled. “Our job is to use the abilities God gave us the best way we know how,” she said. “We shouldn’t waste our time wishing we could do something someone else is doing. I think you and Laura both learned an important lesson.”

Thought: Have you ever wished you could write, play an instrument, or draw as well as someone else could? Have you ever disliked someone because of his or her abilities? Today’s Scripture gives an example of a terrible sin that resulted from envy. Remember, God made each person unique and gave each one different abilities. Do not be envious of someone else’s talent or the attention they may be getting. Instead, be happy with the talent God gave you, and remember to serve Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me to overcome the temptation of jealousy and to love others just as You have loved me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.