The Hundred Acre Wood

Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

Ephesians 4:2

When you were younger, you may have enjoyed the Winnie the Pooh stories set in the Hundred Acre Wood. The stories are about the adventures of Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Rabbit, four very different characters whose differences sometimes cause disagreements but also help to solve problems.

Pooh is a somewhat lazy bear who loves everyone. Pooh is easy to love, too, because he’s accepting and rarely complains. In fact, sometimes the others have to try to figure out what’s bothering Pooh, because he doesn’t freely express his feelings. He’s also careful not to hurt other people’s feelings, and he is a peacemaker.

Tigger, on the other hand, is a bouncing bundle of energy who’s the life of the party. He likes to be around people, and it doesn’t matter what they are doing as long as it’s fun. He is impulsive, and sometimes it’s hard to get him focused on what needs to be done.

Eeyore wanders around the Hundred Acre Wood filled with gloom. When a problem arises, he is a careful thinker who notices the little details others miss. He sees the obstacles others may overlook.

Rabbit is someone who knows what needs to be accomplished and does it. Sometimes he doesn’t consider others’ feelings when he has a goal he wants to reach. While Eeyore is planning and Tigger is out having fun, Rabbit is getting the job done.

Sometimes the characters’ differences cause problems. Rabbit hurts people’s feelings. Tigger’s high energy annoys gloomy Eeyore, and Pooh can come across as lazy. But at the same time, their strengths balance each other. Eeyore tells others what to look out for. Rabbit works to reach a goal. Pooh loves everyone and encourages them. Tigger adds the fun and enthusiasm.

Are you like Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, or Rabbit? What about your friends and family? Just as in the Hundred Acre Wood, differences among you may be annoying at times. But your strengths balance each other. And that’s what makes life fun and interesting.

Even if your friends or family members are different from you, be patient with them. God asks us to love others and be patient with their faults, whether they are Poohs, Tiggers, Eeyores, or Rabbits.

Watch a Winnie the Pooh movie with your family. Which character does each family member resemble? How do those differences cause arguments between you and your family members? What strengths do each of you have to help the others?