Like Jinx
LIKE JINX
Read Ephesians 6:1-3.
Sara overheard her mother telling Dad that Sara had failed to clean out her closet. “I even gave her a box to put the outgrown clothes into,” said Mom.
Sara went outside and sat on her swing. Her collie, Jinx, came over to her, but Sara ignored her pet. She thought of all the things she did do right. She made her bed before school. She set the table for dinner each afternoon and dried the dishes her mother washed each evening. She would clean that closet later. Why did it have to be done right now?
Soon Dad was sitting on the other swing. “Sara, you need to clean your closet,” he said.
“I’m going to do it,” replied Sara. “I wanted to see that special on TV first.”
Dad picked up a stick and threw it. “Get it, Jinx,” he said. The dog was off at a gallop to retrieve the stick. Dad turned his attention back to Sara. “Now that is quick obedience. Jinx didn’t say, ‘I’ll do it when I get around to it.’ He just obeyed.” After a pause, Dad added, “A truck collecting clothing for needy people stopped here today, Sara. None of your outgrown clothes got put on it, because you didn’t obey your mother.”
Now Sara felt bad. “Why didn’t Mom tell me the truck was coming?” she asked. “I would’ve cleaned the closet right away if I’d known.”
“We want you to be willing to obey us without always asking for reasons,” said Dad quietly.
HOW ABOUT YOU?
When your parents tell you to do something, do you put it off? Do you demand reasons? Or do you try to argue that you will do it later when you’ve nothing else to do? The only true obedience is immediate obedience.
TO MEMORIZE:
Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.
Ephesians 6:1
OBEY PARENTS.
From the book
