APRIL 8, 2 Timothy 2:22 

“Hi, Ben,” called Ryan as his friend came into the playground. “Hi,” replied Ben. “I’ve got something I want you to try. You’ll...”

Ben was interrupted by Ryan, who jumped up to grab his little brother. “Tim!” exclaimed Ryan. “Don’t touch that flower! There’s a bee on it!”

“The bee is pretty,” agreed Ryan, “but bees can hurt you. Don’t touch it. Okay?”Tim didn’t say anything but walked off unsteadily to look at another flower. Ryan laughed. “Sorry, Ben. What did you want me to try?”

Ben looked around, then pulled a cigarette from his pocket. “Here.... nobody else is near us, right? Try this,” he said.“ It gives you a real lift - makes you feel good.”

Startled, Ryan asked, “You are offering me a cigarette?” Ben nodded and started to speak, but Ryan interrupted him. “I don’t want anything to do with any cigarette,” said Ryan. “They harm your body and mind.”

“Aw, c’mon! You don’t know how they affect you if you don’t try them,” declared Ben. “That’s crazy,” insisted Ryan. “They’ve been proven to be bad. That’s a fact, and I don’t have to try them to know that.”

Just then, Tim let out a wail and held up a finger. “Ouch!” he cried. “Ouch, it hurts!” Ryan ran to help his brother. “I told you not to touch that bee!” exclaimed Ryan. As he looked at the finger, a car turned into the driveway. “Oh, good! Mom’s home,” said Ryan. “Come on, Tim. Mom will have something to make that finger feel better.” He took Tim to his mother, then went back out to the playground where Ben waited.

“You told Tim that the bee could hurt him, but he had to go and touch it, anyway,” Ben said, shaking his head.

Ryan nodded. “He learned about bee stings the hard way,” he agreed. He frowned as he glanced at Ben. “We’ve been warned that drugs and cigarettes are dangerous and that trying them could get us hooked on them,” added Ryan. “I know I’m not going to learn about drugs the hard way-and I hope you won’t, either, Ben.”

Thought: Do you think you have to try bad things for yourself ? Don’t learn the hard way.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to be wise. I know I don’t need to touch an open flame to find out I’ll get burned. I don’t have to step in front of a moving car to know getting run over hurts. Teach me to be wise, and not to start doing bad things... In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.