JUNE 9, 2 Corinthians 5:17

A loud wail came from the family room. “Look at my poster,” moaned Debbie tearfully. “I worked on this for two weeks and now it’s ruined! I was using a calligraphy pen to sign my name and I accidentally knocked over the ink bottle.”

Mom shook her head when she saw the smear of black ink on the poster. “Oh, dear! I’m so sorry,” she said. “It was beautiful, and...”

“It doesn’t look beautiful anymore!” interrupted Debbie’s brother as he eyed the poster. Then he grinned. “I know... have it cleaned,” he joked. “I’ve read that they do that to famous paintings.” “That’s not funny, Jack,” said Debbie, but knowing he was trying to cheer her up, she smiled faintly. “This picture isn’t famous. It’s hopeless. I won’t have a poster to enter in the contest.”

“Sorry, sis,” said Jack, “but don’t feel too bad. Someday you’ll have a famous painting. I just know you will! You’ll see.”

That evening, Jack talked about a new student in his class. “I can already tell that Ming Teck is going to be a pain,” he declared. “He’s brand new in school, but he acts like he owns the place.”

“Well, don’t judge too quickly,” cautioned Mom. “Maybe he’s just putting on an act by trying to be brave. If you’re friendly and help him as he learns the ropes at his new school, his attitude may change. Give him a chance.”

“Yeah, maybe he’s like my poster,” added Debbie. “It looks like a mess, but if you can get that black ink off, you’d see a pretty picture. Maybe Ming Teck is like that.”

Jack looked doubtful. “He’s a mess like your poster alright and you said your poster is hopeless, remember?” “Ah!” exclaimed Mom. “But people are more like the famous paintings you were talking about! They can be made clean. God sees their potential beauty, He can change them.”

“Well... okay,” said Jack. “I’ll try to remember that.”

“Good,” said Mom. “As you accept Ming Teck, maybe you’ll get a chance to let him know that God changed you and God can also change him.”

Thought: Every Christian is a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for today’s reminder that You can change a proud, sinful person into someone wonderful. As I look at myself, there are also ways that I can change for the better – so help me, Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.