A Friend Like Beau

Bible Reading: John 15:12–14, 17

When Lacey and her brother Julian came home from school, the family dog ran to meet them. “Hey there, Beau,” said Lacey. She reached down to pet him as he bounced back and forth between her and Julian, eagerly wagging his tail.

“Hi, kids. How was school today?” asked Mom. Lacey frowned as she hung up her coat. “Something wrong?” asked Mom.

“Well . . .” Lacey hesitated. Then the story tumbled out. “When Brianna came into our classroom at school today, she waved and smiled real big. I was so glad because sometimes she doesn’t even talk to me. I waved and smiled back, but she gave me a funny look. Then she smiled again and said, ‘Hey, Robin! Let’s play together at recess.’ She was waving and smiling at Robin, not me.” Tears filled Lacey’s eyes, and Beau came over and put his chin on her knee.

“I’m sorry, Lacey. I know that hurts—I’ve had the same sort of thing happen to me,” Mom said as she put an arm around her daughter.

“Beau likes you,” said Julian as the little animal snuggled against her.

“Yeah, but he’s a dog,” said Lacey.

“Lots of kids at school like you too,” Julian added.

“Maybe,” Lacey muttered. “I’m not so sure.”

“What really matters isn’t what Beau or even other kids think of you, but what God thinks of you,” said Mom. “And Jesus loves you so much He died for you! When we’re hurt or disappointed by how others treat us, we need to remember how much He loves us and share that love by being kind and friendly to others.”

Lacey thought about that. “I guess I’m not always as friendly to other kids as I should be,” she said. “I’ll remember how it hurt to have Brianna ignore me—and how Beau cheered me up by being friendly.” She patted the dog’s head. “I need to be friendly like Beau!”

“Yes—even to Brianna,” Mom said. “You can show her God’s love by being kind to her even though she’s not always kind to you.”

How About You?

Are you only friendly to people who are nice to you? Or are you kind and friendly to everyone? It hurts when people ignore you or treat you badly, but don’t treat them or others the same way. Jesus loves you, and He wants you to show others His love. Be the kind of friend He is by being kind to everyone—even those who aren’t nice to you.

Today’s Key Verse:
1 John 4:7 Let us love one another, for love is of God. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Be kind and friendly to others