Under The Surface
UNDER THE SURFACE
Read Mark 12:28-33.
“I hate having to be nice to Joy,” said Erica. “She’s never nice to me.”
“Well, it’s a church party, so you have to do it,” replied Amy. “Just pretend.”
Mom looked at her daughters in the rearview mirror. “Why should you pretend to like someone just because you’re at a church party?”
“It’s the Christian thing to do,” said Amy.
“Hmmm,” said Mom, tapping her finger on the steering wheel. “Do you remember trying to paint over the old paint on your old desk?”
“Sure,” said Amy. “Dad made me sand it first.”
“Right,” said Mom. “And why was that?”
“He said if I didn’t, the new paint would chip off and the old paint would show through.”
“Pretending to like someone is like painting over old paint,” said Mom. “The old feelings are still under the surface, and sooner or later they’ll show through.”
“So should we just not bother to be nice to Joy?” asked Erica.
Mom shook her head. “Amy didn’t just not paint the old desk,” she said. “She sanded and got rid of the rough spots. You need to get rid of the rough feelings, too.”
“But how?” asked Erica.
“A good place to start is with prayer,” said Mom. “It’s hard to dislike someone you’re praying for. Let’s ask the Lord to help you love Joy as He does, okay?” The girls nodded and bowed their heads.
As they got out of the car, they saw Joy right away. “Should we go over to her?” asked Amy.
“Yes,” said Erica. “Let’s go.”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ever just pretend to like someone? Why not ask God to teach you to love somebody you find it difficult to love like He loves that person? Ask Him to fill your heart with His love.
TO MEMORIZE:
This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.
John 15:12
LEARN TO LOVE OTHERS.
From the book
