Bible Reading: Romans 5:6-8; Ephesians 4:20–5:2

“Isaac, I need you to go to Aunt Jane’s house and give her this book. She needs it for her class tonight.”

Isaac groaned. He used to like walking to Aunt Jane’s house. But now mean Mr. Tindall spent a lot of time in his yard, and he always scowled at Isaac. And recently a new family moved into the neighborhood, and they had a gigantic, growly dog. Isaac usually liked dogs–but not this one.

Mom seemed to sense Isaac’s thoughts and looked out the window. “No dogs in sight, Isaac. And give Mr. Tindall a chance.”

Isaac took the book and started up the sidewalk, but sure enough, the growly dog bounded down the driveway. Isaac took off as quickly as he could.

“What’s wrong, Isaac?” Aunt Jane asked when he shot through the door.

“That–that–dog!” Isaac could hardly breathe. “He’s mean!”

“That’s Riley,” said Aunt Jane. “He just looks mean. Wait! I have an idea.” She went to the kitchen and came back with a handful of dog biscuits. “Here, take some dog biscuits, and when Riley runs out, throw them to him!”

Isaac took the biscuits and headed home. Sure enough, the growly dog came running down the driveway. “Here, Riley,” Isaac called and tossed him the biscuits. Riley happily chomped away and Isaac hurried the rest of the way home, not even noticing Mr. Tindall’s scowl as he walked by.

“Everything go okay?” Mom asked Isaac when he got home.

“I guess,” said Isaac. “I gave Riley some dog biscuits, so he wasn’t growly.”

“Hmm,” said Mom. “Maybe you should try that with Mr. Tindall.”

“Throw Mr. Tindall dog biscuits?” Isaac asked. “Oh, wait–you mean that maybe if I did something nice for Mr. Tindall, he wouldn’t scowl at me anymore.”

“Exactly,” said Mom. “But even if it didn’t stop him from scowling, you’d be showing him the love of Jesus. He tells us to be kind to others even when they’re not kind to us because He showed us that kind of love by dying for our sins when we were His enemies.”

The next day, Isaac went back to Aunt Jane’s to get the book. But before he went, he grabbed another handful of dog biscuits–and in the other hand he carefully carried a plate of cookies for Mr. Tindall.

–Linda Weddle

How About You?
Do you avoid certain people because you think they’re mean? Have you tried showing them kindness instead? Even if they’re not nice back to you right away–or ever–God says to show kindness toward everyone because He showed kindness to you by sending Jesus to die for your sins. Show kindness to others and ask God to use it to touch their hearts.

Today’s Key Verse:
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (NKJV) (Ephesians 4:32)

Today’s Key Thought:
Show kindness to others