AUGUST 3, Jeremiah 31:3

Beng Teck groaned as the bowling ball hooked slowly toward the left and rolled into the gutter. “I wished I had not come with you to bowl today,” he said, slumping beside his grandfather. “I did not even hit any pins.”

Grandpa smiled and put his arm around Beng Teck’s shoulders. “Some days are like that. I am not doing so well myself,” he said. “Let us not worry about it.”

“You are doing better than me,” said Beng Teck. “I am sure bowling awfully today. I dislike it when I can’t do anything right.” He sighed. “I probably jinxed you, too,” he added as Grandpa’s bowling ball missed the headpin.

“Oh, no, you did not,” said Grandpa. “I managed to miss the pins without any help from you.”

As they changed shoes a little later, Grandpa asked, “How would you like to stop for a plate of char kway teow?” “Sounds good to me,” replied Beng Teck. They started across the parking lot. “Neither of us bowled a great game today, but I really enjoyed it anyway,” Grandpa said. “Do you know why?” Beng Teck looked at him and shook his head. “It’s because I am with you!” Grandpa told him. “I do wish you could have bowled a good game-that would have been more fun for you. But what’s important to me is just being with you… because I love you.” He smiled at Beng Teck as they climbed into the car and fastened their seat belts. “There may be times when you get discouraged if you aren’t the best student,” continued Grandpa, “or the fastest runner or the most popular person or…” “Or can’t bowl a decent game,” suggested Beng Teck.

Grandpa chuckled. “That, too,” he said, “but always remember that I love you and God does, too. God and I are alike in that we both love you for who you are, and not for what you can do.” Grandpa started the engine. “Now,” he said, “let’s go get that yummy plate of char kway teow, okay?”

Beng Teck nodded. “Thank you for taking me bowling today, Grandpa,” he said.

Thought: Do you ever feel like you can not get anything right and you are not worth loving?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me despite the mistakes I make. Help me though to be a better person, a better Christian. In Jesus’name I pray, Amen.