JANUARY 4, Ephesians 4:29 

Todd pushed away the bowl of oatmeal. “I hate oatmeal, Mom. May I have some cornflakes instead?” he asked. “Hate oatmeal! Want cornflakes!” Todd’s little brother Danny screamed from his highchair as he pushed his little bowl off the tray. Mother caught it just before it hit the floor.

“Oh, Todd! See what you caused?” said Mother with a sigh. “Now I will have trouble getting Danny to eat his oatmeal.”“Why does he always copy me?” grumbled Todd.

“Because he loves you,” replied Mother. “You are his hero, and he watches everything you do.”

Later that day, Mother asked Todd to help out with some kitchen chores. “I am watching TV,” mumbled Todd. “I will do it later.” It seemed to Todd that Mother always asked him to do things at the worst possible time.

“Do it now, Todd,” Mother said firmly, “or you may forget it.”

As Todd reluctantly got to his feet, he swore under his breath. He glanced uneasily at his mother, but the commercial came on just then, and she didn’t hear him. He had finished the chore and returned to the house when Mother called Danny. “Come pick up your toys, Danny,” she said. “Watching TV,” Danny replied, not moving from his cozy position beside Todd.

“Danny,” said Mother sternly, “don’t make me come and get you.”

Danny shrugged impatiently. Then mimicking Todd’s words and tone, Danny swore softly. Todd was horrified. “Don’t say that, Danny!” he scolded. “That is a no-no. Go and do what Mom says, and don’t ever use that word again!”

“Okay,” agreed Danny. As Todd watched him leave, he couldn’t help but feel guilty. He knew that Danny looked up to him and that he had been a bad example, but he hadn’t quite realised just how much influence he had on his brother. Todd resolved there and then that he would never use a swear word again. In fact, he didn’t want to do anything that could be harmful to Danny – or to anyone else who might be watching.

Thought: Do you say things that could be harmful to those who are watching you?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to be very careful in what I say, so that I will not hurt others or cause anyone to sin. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.