JANUARY 22, 2 Timothy 2:24

Benjamin hurried eagerly into the store with his mother and older brother. They were going to pick out treats for him to take to his class the next day. He pulled on his mother’s hand, and she followed him to the aisle that was filled with different kinds of candy and gum.

“How many kids are in your class?” asked his brother, Eric. Benjamin shrugged. “There are twenty-one people, counting Benjamin and his teacher,” Mother told them. Benjamin picked up a package of candy.

“Can I get this?” he asked. “Well, let’s see,” said Mom, looking at the package. “If we get this, we’ll need two bags. There are only twenty pieces in one bag.” “That’s enough,” said Benjamin. “Think again, Ben,” Eric said. “Twenty treats won’t be enough for twenty-one people.”

“I’m not taking one for Steven.” Benjamin took the package and headed for the check-out lanes. “He was mean to me and I do not like him.”

Mom took hold of Benjamin’s arm and pulled him back into the candy aisle. “Benjamin,” she said, “you can’t take treats unless you take them for everybody. You must share with Steven, too.” Benjamin held the candy tightly in his hand. “I told you... I don’t like Steven,” he said stubbornly. “He can’t have any of my candy.”

Mother looked at him sternly. “That is not the right thing to do. As Christians, we are to be nice to all, even if some of them are not nice to us,” she said. She pointed to the candy display. “So, either get some for Steven, or put all of it back.” Slowly, Benjamin reached out and picked up another bag of candy. “Well, all right,” he said.

“Steven can have some, but I will look mad when I give it to him.” Eric helped his little brother carry the candy to the checkout counter. “That does not sound very loving to me,” he said. “Besides, the Bible verse I learned in Sunday school last week says that if we are living for God, we must always be kind to everyone, not just people we like.” “Does that mean I have to smile when I give Steven his candy?” asked Benjamin.He made a face.“He probably won’t even say thank you.”“Maybe not,” said Eric, “but I think you should smile real friendly-like when you give it to him.” “I think so, too,” agreed Mother. “And I’m sure God agrees!”

Thought: Is it hard to be kind to a person who is not nice to you?

Prayer: : Heavenly Father, teach me to be a nice and forgiving person. I know it is sometimes tough to be nice to nasty people, but Heavenly Father, please help me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.