A Few Little Flowers

Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:8-11, 15-17

“I don’t know what to get my mom for her birthday,” India told her friend Maggie. “I don’t have much money.”

“I know what you can get,” Maggie said, “and it doesn’t cost anything.” She led the way to Mrs. Monroe’s house and stopped on the sidewalk in front of the flower garden. Mrs. Monroe had the most beautiful flowers in the neighborhood. “This is where I got my mom’s birthday present,” said Maggie, pointing to the flower beds.

India was a little confused. “You mean you stole Mrs. Monroe’s flowers?”

“Don’t make it sound so terrible,” said Maggie. “Sometime when you know she’s not home, just come and take a few. She has so many flowers she’ll never notice that any are missing.”

Mom loves flowers, India thought, and Mrs. Monroe has tons of them. She probably wouldn’t even care if I took some, so maybe it would be okay. But wouldn’t it be stealing? Stealing is wrong. I’ll ask Dad what he thinks.

India found her father in the living room later that day. “Dad, do you think Mrs. Monroe would mind if I took some of her flowers for Mom’s birthday?” she asked. “I can’t think of anything else to get.”

Dad looked up from his computer. “I don’t know. Why don’t you ask her?”

“Ask her? But the kids say she’s really mean!”

Dad smiled. “You might be surprised,” he said. “Besides, if you took them without asking her, that would be stealing—and you know what God says about that.”

A shiver passed through India as she knocked on Mrs. Monroe’s door the next day. When it finally opened, India blurted out her request in one breath and waited for the response. She was astonished to see a wide smile appear on Mrs. Monroe’s wrinkled face. “Don’t you think your mother would be proud if you earned those flowers by helping me in my garden?” she asked. “Come back tomorrow, and we’ll work out the details over a piece of chocolate cake.”

India breathed a sigh of relief as she waved goodbye and ran home. She was glad she had done the right thing by talking to Mrs. Monroe. – Linda Lee Gerard

How About You?

Do you do what you know is right? Do you think for yourself when making decisions, or do you just go along with whatever other kids tell you to do? You have many choices to make every day, and it’s up to you—not anyone else—to make the right ones. Ask God to help you understand what He says is right in His Word, and talk to a trusted adult if you’re still not sure. Then do it!

Today’s Key Verse:
James 4:17 To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Today’s Key Thought:

Do the right thing