First Impressions

Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.

Standing on the risers, Robyn sang quietly as she waited for the fourth-grade concert rehearsal to begin.

A new classmate turned toward her, a frown on her face. “Your voice is ugly,” she said.

Robyn was focused on the upcoming concert, and she liked her voice, so she didn’t let the girl’s rudeness bother her. She kept on singing.

A couple of days later, the choir was rehearsing for the concert again when Robyn noticed the same girl fiddling with the neckline of her concert costume. The Velcro wasn’t sticking. It kept rubbing up against her lower neck and irritating her skin. Noticing the problem, Robyn reached out and folded the Velcro over so it stuck to the costume material. The girl turned around, smiled, and said, “Thanks!” After a pause, she continued more thoughtfully: “I like you.”

When someone says or does something unkind—especially if we don’t know them well—it can be hard to give them the benefit of the doubt. Yet if we respond with anger or defensiveness, we may only fuel an argument or gain an enemy. Robyn’s story reminds us that we can’t rely on first impressions to give us a true reading of someone’s character. People are imperfect, but when we are gracious in the midst of their weaknesses and still show kindness despite their shortcomings, we can make a difference—and we might even make a friend.

Proverbs tells us that when we control our temper or overlook wrongs, it reflects well on our character. When we choose to respond with kindness, we may find that our second interaction with someone is much better than the first. Our decision to respond with grace (or, in Robyn’s case, to not respond at all) reflects our merciful, loving God, who has graciously forgiven us and given us the second chance we need too.

Things to Think About

• How do you react when people say or do unkind things to you? Do you respond with anger or with kindness?
• How does the way we choose to respond to others reflect our own heart?

DAILY ACT OF FRIENDSHIP

Think of someone who has hurt you and give them a second chance by reaching out in kindness.